I Have a What? A Guide for Coping with Moderate-to-Severe TBI

RRTC ON COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF PERSONS WITH TBIUse a memory notebook. You can list problems to solve, steps to completetasks, and “To Do” lists in a memory notebook to help you organize andremember tasks you want to accomplish.Take breaks when tired. When you get tired, it will be harder to thinkthrough problems and come up with ways to solve them. After a moderateto-severeTBI, you are likely to become tired more often. You will think moreclearly if you are not tired.Ask for feedback from someone you trust. A family member, friend, ortherapist may all be good choices to help you if you are having difficultywith planning, organizing, or problem-solving.Language and communication problemsCommunication is important in our everyday interactions withothers. After a moderate-to-severe TBI, some people maynotice that they have difficulty finding the right words thatthey want to say. Sometimes it may be difficult to stay on atopic or finish one story before starting a new one. Thoughtsmay be out of order and understanding other people may bedifficult. Even starting conversations with friends and family may be difficult for you.You may notice that you are avoiding situations where many people are talking to eachother, such as parties. You may even notice that you are asking others to ask questionsfor you. These changes may cause anxiety, irritability, or even frustration. At times, it ishard for people to express what they think. After a moderate-to-severe TBI, languageand communication problems may improve during the first 6 months to 2 years afterinjury. However, these problems may be long-lasting.What can I do?Speak slower. Take your time when you are talking. Allow yourself time toexplain what you want. Do not get nervous or upset about finding the rightPage 27