There are a lot of myths and false fears circulating about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). When people experience a TBI for themselves, the often don’t know what to expect, and they have some false fears about what living with a TBI will be like.

Here are some of the more common false fears patients have about TBIs and why they’re myths.

You Can’t Remember Simple Things So You Must Be Crazy

This just isn’t true. It’s not uncommon for TBI patients to have trouble remembering certain facts they otherwise would never forget, such as their address or home phone number. This does not mean that you’re crazy or out of your mind. Remember that memory is a brain function, not a mind function. If your brain is injured, then it will have trouble acting as it did before, just like any other arm or leg injury.

You Won’t Get Better

The truth is that recovering from a TBI can take months, even years. This is a slow process, and it will take time for you to feel like yourself again.

There are some things that you can do to help your brain relearn certain functions. You might try going to speech therapy or playing certain computer games. These can help you improve your speech and thinking functions, and they’ll help the brain make new pathways to perform those functions that were lost during the injury. Good exercise can also help you brain. If you have questions, speak with your physician to learn how you can help yourself improve.

You’re All Alone

Many patients don’t know anything about TBIs until they have one themselves. If they don’t know anyone else with such an injury, it can make them feel lonely or isolated, as if no one understands exactly what they’re going through.

This is a common fear, but you should know that there are many others out there just like you. You can find a whole world of support online and connect with TBI support groups in your area. You can also share information with your friends and family members to help them better understand what you’re going through.

Don’t let your false fears about TBIs control you. For more information, reach out to TryMunity at community.trymunity.com and be part of a welcoming community.