Hey,
So first time i've ever wrote a journal, i wasn't sure about this to be honest but one of my therapists suggested i try it so here i am. This first post may be long winded but i think if i update it fairly regularly it will be a lot shorter from here on in.
Little background info: 39/Male/UK. Last relationship 2013-2018. Happy go lucky, bouncing off the walls with energy type of guywho loved life until May 2017 when i had an accident at work, fell and smashed my head/face in. Suffered a mild traumatic brain injury and broken bones physically which i have healed from but mentally i am struggling. Due to my disorders and resulting conditions my timelines may be a bit out of sync so if you are reading this please bear with/forgive me.
May 2017 - Was told i was not breathing for a period of time after the fall until works own private health paramedics who happened to be on site revived me. This makes sense as during the time i was unconscious firstly my ENTIRE LIFE flashed before me and then i went through a bright white tunnel, there were no gates like heaven but it was like a bright, white cylindrical room. My deceased family members came and met me, there was a chat, mostly vague but what i remember clearly was they gave me the option to go with them and thus die essentially i suppose. They assured me it was fine and nothing to fear and i didn't need to stay on Earth any longer if i didnt want too so they took me by the hand and i started walking with them and then suddenly i was pulled back into this world by the paramedics.
I remember i was paralysed for a few minutes after being brought back round and couldn't communicate as workmates were screaming "Ninja is dead" etc but i wasn't i just couldn't move anything including my mouth. All i could feel was a tremendous physical pain in my head and ribs and i was suddenly aware that i had no memory whatsoever, couldnt answer what day it was etc when the paramedics asked. Rushed to hospital for brain/heart scans and tests, confirmed concussion, broken bones etc but no permanent damage on the brain scans. Was advised by specialist that i would likely soon feel completely out of character, for upto 6 months after a nasty head injury. I lied and told the Doctor i was fine even though i was already screwed but it felt ok as he said it would only last for 3-6 months even if it did come on.
Xmas 2017 - i was actually starting to feel better slightly but then suffered another accident at the same place but not as serious, a power tool span and smashed me in the mouth, massive cuts to tongue, sore jaw/teeth and some nerve pains but all better within a month. THis seemed to spin my brain out. I rapidly declined mentally moreso from here. I loathed this job with a passion but it paid so well although it was a very dangerous environment. Looking back it was a bad idea to stay there as it meant i had to see my blood splattered up the walls and floors everyday where the accident happened. Even though they had been washed/faded in you could still see it.
Feb 2018 -I started withdrawing and isolating myself somewhat, i cannot cope with the pressure of feeling suicidal, working and renovating a house i purchased for me, my gf and my step daughter to live in. My relationship fell apart although in truth it had started crumbling not long after the accident and some friendships too but luckily they were not my better/stronger ones.
March 2018 - My ex dumps me, i feel devastated and blame myself for everything. I continue on anyway and try and convince myself i am fine. I should point out since May 2017 i have been going to my doctor every 2 months complaining about my conditions/symptoms and everytime she tells me "its fine, all this is normal after a head injury, it's just bad anxiety, it will go away". This constant refusal to help me has convinced me that i am insane, after all if my doctor said my symptoms are normal every 8 weeks and then tells me to go away and come back in another 8 weeks then i must be insane right? This where me saying "Im fine" since May 2017 comes from. The docs advice.
May 2018 - On the verge of suicide. I still have no memory, no identity, no idea who or where i am most of the time. Time itself is an alien concept. I myself feel like an alien, i have done since May 2017. I have been flaoting above my body watching an imposter control my body for nearly a year now and it has driven people i love away. I decide that i refuse to live like this anymore, i must end it. I am out with friends in a bar on a Saturday night and just have a breakdown in public, tears etc for no reason. Luckily my friends were very supportive and scheduled me an appointment with a therapist for the Monday and told me i must give it a go. I attend the session and immediately collapse on the floor, crying like a baby. We get through the session and within a few weeks of therapy i am feeling better even though far from normal. I am now at this point diagnosed with PTSD which in turn has given me depression, anxiety, depersonalisation and derealization disorders. JUst knowing that i am not alone in these conditions and i am not going insane literally saves my life.
Upto the present day i am still seeing my therapist weekly and also recently started seeing a 2nd therapist who specialises in treating PTSD using something called EMDR which is interesting and does seem to be helping. I still have all the disorders i previously mentioned although the symptoms are not as strong. I have taken no medication whatsoever as my i remember my Dad became addicted to them when i was a child after he had anxiety after nearly being murdered. He could flip from a normal guy into a violent raging monster at the flick of a switch if his meds ran out and i didn't want to be like that. No judgement on anyone who does take them we have to do what works out for each of us best.
My days are up and down, sometimes it feels like i'm about to recover or i am on the road to recovery at least and then i have a crushing few days where i feel like my body is not mine but at leats it's not 24/7 anymore like May 2017-2018. Depersonalisation and Derealization are the worst disorders i could imagine but now its less so I value the respite from that evilness. I still feel like a shell of my former self. I still have major memory loss although it does seem to be coming back slowly and everynow and then i have major flashbacks and can get a good chunk of memory back that way. My cognitive abilities are still way down on what they were.
I have recently been laid off from that awful job and i am fast running out of money as i am upto my eyeballs in debt over the house renovation but everything will work out i'm sure. It has too right? If not i will have to sell my house that i've bust my ass over for 2.5 years and literally nearly killed myself over. It will come good. I believe!
Got my first job interview in 5 years in the morning, hopefully when the pressure is on my mind can recall past examples of what they are looking for. Tried to pre-empt it tonight but my mind won't let me access my memores. Frustrating. Still I have more confidence now than i did 12 months ago anyway. Lack of funds means i'm having to cut down on my therapy which is partly why i'm here i suppose. My therapist suggests that doing the journal may help, especially now we won't be doing it weekly anymore after this weeks session. Sorry to anyone who read this for its long winded nature, from now on posts will be a lot shorter but to people who don't know me and my troubles my all-over-the-place mind can cause confusion. Fleshing out the background may help give you an idea where i am coming from. GOnna catch some sleep now hopefully and then nail that job interview!
Reply With Quote
