Month: November 2021

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The Exasperated Brain Child with a Brain Injury

JusMee

The Exasperated Brain ChildThe Exasperated Brain Childwith a brain injury! Seeing people grow and learn with a brain injury is always a joy.

 And it is with great pleasure I introduce you to one success: Jusmee (SE)… the Exasperated Brain Child with Brain Injury! (Glamorous, Fun-loving, grateful, and Light-hearted; I am Jusmee.)

Anyway…The Exasperated Brain Child

I was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after collapsing on a stress-filled day on the job some time ago. (crashing the back of my head on a carpeted concrete floor.)

Although it took months for my injury to show itself, I had strange experiences. For instance, I was trying to get the car out of the garage.

…my judgment was off, which led to ripping the right passenger mirror off.

 Then, once making it safely to the train station… I could not park in between two vehicles; I had forgotten how to do it. So, to not damage anyone’s car, I chose to park in places where fewer people would park.

I parked so that I could drive forward instead of backing out. Why? So, I could see what was coming. Mostly, it was a matter of caution for me.

A moment later…I would have a meltdown… what the hell is wrong with me? I was bewildered and didn’t have a clue what was happening to me!

Of course, I had no clue what was going on, and not to mention, my memory was shattered.

Shortly after that…

Fortunately for me, I had a keen desire to go into therapy…Fantasy seldom correlates with reality.” 

I wasn’t in denial as The Exasperated Brain Child.

 So…off I went into therapeutic sessions every three days for 18 months. Have you ever heard of the terminology “losing yourself?”

When a brainchild with a brain injury loses themselves to the world around them, what happens? As you stare into an unfamiliar place and time, you wonder how to regain the part of yourself you have lost.

Here’s the deal: life gets in the way, and it isn’t very easy. 

I daresay, days turn into weeks which turn into months, until one day the therapist asks if you are still here…and do you even remember where you are in the first place? What happened to your dreams? Where did they go?” 

Hell. I didn’t know who I was at that point. I was the same person when I looked in the mirror. However, I had trouble with my memory, concentration, attention, slurred speech, and thinking.

That is just a little of it in a nutshell for The Exasperated Brain Child.

Today, I hope to share my experiences and my long road to regaining myself partially. And how people who have suffered a brain injury and how their brains make it hard for them to do things as everyone else does. 

A severe brain injury can affect all aspects of people’s lives, including relationships with family and friends and their ability to work or remain employed, do household chores, drive, and do other normal daily activities.

Simply put, it isn’t easy being different, especially when your differences don’t even feel like something done on purpose by yourself! 

But now, 

I’m trying my best to love myself as is– because sometimes it takes time before our flaws can become perfections in disguise.

 At any rate, I hope this post will help shed some light on the struggles these people go through every day of their lives so that maybe someday, there will be a better understanding of what a traumatic brain injury does to a person.

In Conclusion…

I think it’s safe to say being different is hard. But, having a traumatic brain injury can make things even more difficult because you have something that makes your differences more pronounced and amplified than they would be otherwise. 

The list of challenges for those with TBI keeps growing! 

From not knowing how to communicate effectively to trouble controlling emotions or sensory input, there are many obstacles on the road back from this type of injury – one which often people don’t fully understand until they experience it themselves. 

The best way we know how to show our support is by sharing these tips (and maybe some jokes) about what life is like after sustaining this severe condition; so please follow me if you want updates on my journey

https://youtu.be/tjlUcXm-Tho

What are common symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

TBI symptoms vary depending on:

  • The type of injury
  • How severe the injury is
  • What area of the brain is injured

TBI injuries can be both local (the exact place on the brain where the injury occurred) and include the surrounding tissues, which can also be affected by the damage to the initial site. 

This means that some symptoms appear right away, while others may appear several days or even weeks later and evolve over time. 

A person with TBI may or may not lose consciousness. Loss of consciousness, sometimes called a blackout, does not necessarily mean the TBI is severe, especially if the blackout lasts for only a short time. Learn about treatments for TBI.

Symptoms of Mild TBI

A person with a mild TBI may experience any of the following:

  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus
  • Tiredness or sleepiness
  • A bad taste in the mouth
  • A change in sleep habits
  • Behavior or mood changes
  • Trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking
  • Loss of consciousness lasting a few seconds to minutes1
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Nausea or vomiting2

Symptoms of Moderate or Severe TBI

A person with moderate or severe TBI may have some of the symptoms listed for mild TBI. In addition, the person may experience any of the following:

  • Headache that gets worse or will not go away
  • Loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Repeated vomiting or continued nausea
  • Slurred speech
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • An inability to wake up from sleep
  • Enlargement of the pupil (dark center) of one or both eyes
  • Numbness or tingling of arms or legs
  • Uncoordinated or “clumsy” movements
  • Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
  • Loss of consciousness lasting a few minutes to hours

To concludeRead more

Sources:

https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/brain-injury-awareness

https://soarworks.samhsa.gov/article/soar-infographics

Heads Up | HEADS UP | CDC Injury Center

Citations

  1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2019). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) information page. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Traumatic-Brain-Injury-Information-Page
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). TBI: Symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/symptoms.html
  3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2020). Traumatic brain injury: Hope through research. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Traumatic-Brain-Injury-Hope-Through
  4. American Academy of Family Physicians. (2018). Traumatic brain injury: Symptoms. Retrieved March 20, 2020, from https://familydoctor.org/condition/traumatic-brain-injury/ 
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BRAIN-CHILD ATTESTATION

JusMee

 
 

Don’t Let Your Past Bother Your Future.

Encouraging Words can be powerful. Especially in times like these, when we feel a little down and not quite ourselves again after the recent events in our lives—no matter how big or small they may have been.

 

Because of this…we all need words that uplift our spirits during these challenging times– mainly because the world isn’t as it once was but will eventually get better if we follow instructions without socializing in large groups out of fear.

Brain-Child nobody governs your mind but you.

Read more

…I have one question for you, are people trying to kill everybody to gratify their selfish wants and desires? 

I think not. 

And so, we all need words that uplift our spirits during these challenging times– mainly since the world isn’t as it once was but will eventually get better if we follow instructions without socializing in large groups out of fear.

Brain-Child… we’re bombarded with negativity from almost every corner, so…we need something positive now more than ever before! 

Meanwhile, our lives were not founded on sadness; how would it look if everyone was miserable all the time?” 

 Brain Child you know what they say:

The noise is only as good as its tone—and yours has been with fear lately (maybe anger too). So, if words don’t make anyone feel better anymore, then perhaps silence will do.

For the time being, I want everyone reading this letter right now: Please don’t stop doing what makes your heart sing! 

Brain-Child, let no one tell you 2 b down or give up on being happy regardless of the circumstance, because those things only come from within-not outward actions alone.

In conclusion,

Mean-time, in a world where it’s easy to feel powerless, and It’s challenging to get through the day without hearing negativity. 

Whether it be from a news article, social media post, or just an overheard conversation in public, there seems to be no shortage of people who are unhappy with their lives. 

That being said, life is still beautiful and full of wonder, so don’t forget that! 

Given that you may not change the surrounding situation, but with these empowering words and inspirational quotes, I hope you find some comfort in knowing that no matter what happens,

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

 Brain-child, do something today for yourself because, after all… YOU’RE WORTH IT! 

The quotes below are some of my favorites, as they encapsulate the sentiment I hope to convey. 

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”– Albert Einstein

Life is never easy. There is work to be done and obligations to be met – obligations to truth, to justice, and to liberty.” — John F. Kennedy (JFK Quotes)

“Life is really simple, but men insist on making it complicated.” — Confucius

My mama always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” — Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump Quotes)

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” — Buddha.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” — Dr. Seuss

 “Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” — Mark Twain

 

Follow me on Facebook @jusbmee, or subscribe to my blog so we can continue this conversation together.

Thanks For Reading!

brain child
Photo by Elina Fairytale on Pexels.com
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7 Mesmerizing Examples Of Bullshit

JusMee

BullshitThe art and technique of Bullshit

Bullshit is a term that’s been around for centuries, and politicians love to use it. But what exactly is Bullshit? This blog post will explore the definition of Bullshit.

So you’re probably wondering: What does “bullshit” mean? Bullsh*t can refer to anything that’s nonsense or is untrue;. Mistakes are made by people who lie just because they think they know better than anyone else. 

In like manner, things are said as part of a political campaign without any actual evidence to back them up. 

Meantime, this word has nothing to do with lying at all – sometimes, we call something “bullshit” when we don’t really care about it one way or another. 

BullshitHowever, that is not the case for the event on January 6th; those insidious bumbling idiots knew they were spreading catastrophe bullshit which incited gullible buffoons to cripple an election.

What’s more,, Bullshit is also a term coined by philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt who defines Bullshit as an act or instance of talking without knowing what you’re talking about. (See below excerpts from the essay)

Additionally, The Oxford English Dictionary lists the first usage of the word (bulls hit), early 20th century: from bull ‘stupid or nonsense talk’ + shit.

 Because of this…Bullshitters are often Bullshitseen as liars or people who are trying to deceive you for their own gain – but the truth is, they might not be lying at all. 

Simply put…Bullshitters are frequently full of shit. 

That being the case…they could just be telling you something they think is true without knowing if it actually holds any water or not. 

Next time someone tries to tell you a story with little or no truth, just remember they are communicating their version of the facts. 

In technical terms, this is known as “bullshit.”

communications that result from no concern for truth, evidence and/or established semantic, logical, systemic, or empirical knowledge.”

 Bullshit is everywhere, so we must always be vigilant to spot it, call it out, and avoid getting caught up in it ourselves. There is so much of it in today’s world.

Some of today’s Bullshit is just scandalous; for example, this headline from Washington Post:

“Nearly 4 in 10 who say the election was stolen from Trump say violence might be needed to save America. “

The 4 in 10 people who believe the Bullshit of a stolen election is lunatics with terrorist ideas.

… Continue reading

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MENTAL HEALTH -VS -MENTAL ILLNESS 2 DIFFER

JusMee

MENTAL HEALTHI want to begin by saying that I have been taking medication for depression and anxiety over the past twelve years.

But in no way do I consider myself to be crazy, a nut case, lunatic, or any other name associated with mental illness.

Simply put…my brain needs assistance in keeping me mentally healthy.

That said…my mental health is a state of well-being where I feel good about myself and my life.

I’ve learned that people who experience good mental wellness typically have a positive outlook on life, feel confident, and behave responsibly. 

On the other hand, those with mental illness may not function due to psychological disorders such as depression or anxiety.

This is why I have no problem taking my medication. It will keep me mentally healthy.

Incidentally, mental illnesses can cause those affected by them significant distress, which impedes their ability to live happy lives like everyone else does every day.

In fact, according to Anjel Vahratian, Ph.D., Stephen J. Blumberg, Ph.D., […], and Jeannine S. Schiller, MPH…

Mental HEALTHSocial restrictions, limits on operating nonessential businesses, and other measures to reduce pandemic-related mortality and morbidity can lead to isolation and unemployment or underemployment, further increasing the risk for mental health problems (2)

To rapidly monitor changes in mental health status and access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the Household Pulse Survey (HPS).

This report describes trends in the percentage of adults with symptoms of an anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder and those who sought mental health services. 

Mental HEALTHDuring August 19, 2020–February 1, 2021, the percentage of adults with symptoms of an anxiety or a depressive disorder during the past 7 days increased significantly (from 36.4% to 41.5%), as did the percentage reporting that they needed but did not receive mental health counseling or therapy during the past 4 weeks (from 9.2% to 11.7%).

Increases were largest among adults aged 18–29 years and among those with less 

During August 19–31, 2020, through November 25–December 7, 2020, a significant increase was observed in the percentage of adults who reported taking prescription medication or receiving counseling for their mental health (from 22.4% to 25.0%) (Figure 2). 

Similarly, during August 19–31, 2020, through December 9–21, 2020, a significant increase was observed in the percentage of adults who reported needing but not receiving counseling or therapy for their mental health (from 9.2% to 12.4%).

Estimates through January 2021 were similar to those in December 2020.

During August 19–31, 2020, through November 25–December 7, 2020, a significant increase was observed in the percentage of adults who reported taking prescription medication or receiving counseling for their mental health (from 22.4% to 25.0%) (Figure 2). 

During August 19–31, 2020, through December 9–21, 2020, a significant increase was observed in the percentage of adults who reported needing but not receiving counseling or therapy for their mental health (from 9.2% to 12.4%).

Estimates through January 2021 were similar to those in December 2020.

Mental health and mental illness are two terms that get thrown around 

MENTAL HEALTHMental health and mental illness are two words that are often used interchangeably, but what is the difference between them? I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “I need to go see someone about my mental health.” 

 I hope this article has helped understand the difference between mental health and mental illness so you can be better informed about how to support those around you who may need your help. You deserve it too!

Mental health deserves just as much attention and care as physical health.

It’s essential to understand the difference between mental illnesses, which are treatable diseases that can be passed down in families;

or acquired over time, and mental health problems that have no known cause but may affect someone at any age. 

The NIH has a great article about this topic with more details on ways you can help yourself or others who might need it.  (See the link below)

 

In conclusion…Please follow me for more information on being mental healthy as I explore how we all have the power to improve our minds and body by taking small steps every day!

 

Thank You For Reading!MENTAL HEALTH

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/join-a-study

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8022876/#!po=3.84615

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THE BRAIN IS A MARVEL OF ENGINEERIN 2

JusMee

Beyond The Brain

Indeed those voices in your head…can mislead you by fear into believing that all negative thoughts are bad ones – just because they’re dark doesn’t mean they won’t help lead you somewhere better.

According to research, the awe-inspiring phenomenon of hearing voices inside the head that others cannot is categorized as the standard form of auditory hallucinations. 

I See Dead People…

At the same time, hallucinations can be seen as nothing but illusions created by the brain and give people their feelings like they’re real –but in reality, those are just in their minds.

https://ww w.news-medical.net/health/What-Causes-Hearing-Voices.aspx.

.

Acting a Little Weird

As an illustration, one time, my sister called me and was acting a little weird. She kept talking about how she heard voices in her head from God telling her to hit her boyfriend over the head, so I asked if it was God or something like that. 

 Despite this, it turns out that she wasn’t hearing voices from God, though! It was in her head …called auditory hallucinations. 

Subsequently..she is constantly hearing voices in her head that create many issues for her, and the sad part is she doesn’t realize it. As it so happened, I have experienced hallucinations myself.

Somebody Calling My Name

In contrast, I felt the warmth of a hand and someone gently calling my name. It happened when I was very distraught over the death of my youngest sister.

 Anyhow, I fell asleep only to be awakened by this figment of my imagination; although it felt like it happened in reality…it didn’t happen at all.

That being said…The brain is a unique entity. 

I thought of the movie “Concussion” with Will Smith portraying Forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu.

 He was tasked with performing an autopsy on former NFL football player Mike Webster (David Morse), who died from Lou Gehrig’s disease-like symptoms of facial nerve paralysis and dementia. 

During his examination, he discovered evidence for chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE; however, no one had yet shown this condition in humans, so it became known as”)| Alzheimer’s: 

The first case.” As other athletes face similar diagnoses after their deaths despite being healthy at the time off the field too long ago, Omalu embarks on a mission to raise awareness about preventing these neurodegenerative disorders caused by head trauma.

http://www.protectthebrain.org/Our-Team/Bennet-I-Omalu-M-D-.aspx

The brain is a marvel of engineering that controls all functions and actions in the body; 

It interprets information received from our senses (in this case: sight), stores memories for later use by either learning something new or retrieving past experiences to understand better what’s happening at any given moment.

In addition to creating voices in your head called auditory hallucinations, people often say they can hear their thoughts as they think them, which makes sense on another level; what does anyone know about what’s happening inside someone else’s brain? 

In conclusion, I think it’s time for a new voice in your head. Someone who doesn’t speak with an annoying, high-pitched tone or has been proven wrong about everything 100% of the time.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram, and Facebook to hear from this better version of you.

Something to think about

My mom’s been acting a little weird lately. She keeps her phone in the oven, and when she isn’t talking to someone who isn’t there, it seems like she is just staring into space. I asked her what was up with that behavior because it’s not normal for an adult to act like this, and she finally admitted to me that she hears voices in her head all day long! 

-Anonymous

Thanks for reading!

Sources of Information

Further Reading