Many traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors feel cut off from their family and peers. They have experienced a trauma that most people will never quite experience, and they may struggle to make sense of how their lives have changed.

As a TBI survivor, you may be feeling some of these stressors yourself, but it’s important to know that you are not alone in these struggles. In fact, talking about your experiences and sharing your story can benefit you in many different ways.

Here is why sharing your story is therapeutic.

Make Sense of Your Injury

Survivors often ask themselves “why me” after experiencing a TBI, and truthfully, there’s no right answer.

Most survivors try to make sense of their injury by either writing about it or talking about it with other survivors. If you’re not ready to talk, writing can help immensely. It will help you unpack your feelings, and it’s a safe space to express anger or sadness. As you build confidence in your writing, you’ll feel more comfortable talking about your injury and how your life has changed.

Bring Awareness

Few people will understand the impact of a TBI unless they experience it themselves. By talking about your injury, you’ll be spreading awareness to those who haven’t experienced a TBI. They’ll have a better idea of what you’re going through and how they can help you. Bringing awareness to your cause will help you feel like you’re making a difference.

Get Others to Talk

What’s so great about sharing your story is that it often encourages other survivors to do the same. When they see how much sharing a story helps you, they’ll want to do the same. This is a great way to help those survivors who are suffering in silence find their voices once more, and it will make you feel good knowing that you helped someone else.

Everyone has a story to tell, and TBI survivors are no different. To share your story and hear from other survivors, check out the TriMunity community at community.trymunity.com and begin telling your story.

It is no secret that veterans are at a higher risk of receiving a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The consequences of TBI, blast-related concussions, and post-traumatic stress disorder can be devastating. It is important that veterans have all the resources and information available to get the help they need to recover. The first way that we, as a nation, can assist our veterans is to know the numbers, who is at risk and set up ways for veterans to access those resources. Here are a few statistics regarding veterans and TBI.

Who Is at Risk?

Active duty and reserve service members are at higher risk, as they are typically the ones at the front line. Generally, these service members are between the ages of 18 and 24 and participate in operational and training activities that could involve explosives, IEDs, and mines.

Understand Different Injuries

Different TBIs caused by various injuries can impact a service member in different ways. It is important that each veteran is treated on an individual and personalized basis. If you identify that a veteran may have suffered a TBI, it is important to talk things over with a medical professional. They can perform an evaluation and make suggestions for ongoing treatment. Make sure to be open and honest with all symptoms so they right type of treatment options are offered.

Look for Support

Statistics show that veterans who join a TBI support group have a better outcome than those who do not. TryMunity is a fantastic community full of people from all walks of life who have suffered TBI. There is also a veteran-specific TBI recovery support program located through the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. No matter where you go, make sure to ask for the help you need.

For more information about veterans and TBI, make sure to look at our resources or join the TryMunity Community.

When either you or a loved one is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, it is incredibly isolating. You may feel as though other people don’t understand what you are going through, and you are probably tired of explaining the diagnosis and what it means. Whether you are looking for information or support, a TBI support group is a great resource. Here are a few benefits of joining a support group, like TryMunity.

1. Sharing Information

Thankfully, there is a lot of research going on currently and information is coming out at an alarming rate. It can be hard to seek out all the most current treatment and research. A support group has the benefit of several members working hard to research and disseminate the information for fellow members.

2. Empathy and Support

There are many members in a support group, all at different stages in their recovery. There may be some people who will never fully recover and those who have made stunning progress despite the worst prognosis. Read stories of those who were in your shoes and overcame adversity. Support those who are going through a difficult time and you will find that it is very beneficial in your own journey.

3. Providing Resources

Many non-profits have links to possible financial or treatment resources that you wouldn’t be able to find easily. They can point you in the direction of how to get certain therapies or medications covered, or how to file for disability. Some organizations can help you to obtain legal help or connect you with a social worker. These are all great resources you can get with a TBI support group.

Do you need assistance with your TBI recovery? Join the TryMunity community today and get all the benefits and support with membership

Everyone has his or her challenges in life. People with traumatic brain injury just have particular challenges that may make things a bit more difficult. It is important that if you or a family member is suffering from a TBI,  you need to know what to do to help them overcome the adversity that comes with having such an injury. Here are a few ideas on how to start the process of accepting diagnosis and manage treatment while conserving a high quality of life.

Don’t Change What You Do, Change the Way You Do Them

The most important thing when you are presented with any health challenge is to keep participating in activities that you love. While your injury may prevent you from doing things in the same manner, it doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the activity completely. You may need to make some changes or adjustments to how you do it, but it will quickly become your new normal.

Share Your Experience

Sharing your TBI experience with others going through a similar situation not only helps them, but it helps you as well. Gaining confidence in overcoming your TBI’s most challenging aspects and providing advice to others can continue to help you achieve great things in your life.

Find Support

TBI can be a life changing experience that puts a lot of stress on you and your family. You need a strong support system in place to help you along the way. Make sure that you find that support either through family, friends, or an online community like TryMunity. If you don’t know quite where to start, talk to your doctor. They may have information or resources for local support groups that meet in person.

For more information about overcoming adversity that comes with TBI, join the TryMunity community today. You don’t have to do this all alone. We are here to help.

When you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may feel a bit alone and isolated. You may feel like other people may not be able to relate to the hardships you face. The best way to cope is to seek out others who are going through the same thing. TBI groups are a great way to find other families and individuals who are going through recovery for a TBI. Here are a few ways that you can find TBI groups in your community.

Look Online

The Internet is one of the best ways to find groups in your area. Social media can help you connect with people going through similar circumstances. Facebook groups are a fantastic way to meet people with TBIs or are taking care of a family member with a brain injury.

Ask Your Doctor

Doctors, especially specialists often have many patients and get to know the local support groups available either in or outside the hospital. Many specialist offices also have a designated social worker who can connect you with local resources. If you are having trouble finding groups in your area, call your doctors office and ask if they can point you in the right direction.

Create Your Own

If you are unable to find any groups in your area, you should take the opportunity to create your own. You may be able to find people who are dealing with challenges and need people to relate with. Create an online profile or group and get in touch with specialists in the area to notify them of your group so they can refer patients.

If you need assistance finding support in the TBI community, join TryMunity today. You are not alone, we are all in this together.  

The Internet is an excellent resource for a wide range of medical information, including traumatic brain injury. There is a wealth of information, personal stories, and more that TBI patients and families can utilize. While it can be a very important tool, it is important to take the information online with a grain of salt and always double check information with your treating physician.

Non-Medical Information Can Be Misleading

Patient stories and experiences can be inspiring and provide hope. One important thing to remember is that every patient can be different. Every situation has its own characteristics and circumstances that can impact patient outcome. While you can look to stories of other TBI patients for support, you should not take any stories as medical advice. The only person who can provide accurate medical advice is your doctor.

Don’t Give Medical Advice

Families that have been through a traumatic brain injury are well versed in medical treatments, symptoms, and prognosis of TBI. While families are no doubt a wealth of information, it is crucial that you do not provide medical advice to anyone else. Only a doctor can provide medical advice. Uneducated medical advice can be harmful at best and deadly at its worst.

Look at the Source

For accurate and correct information, you will want to check the source of where it is coming from. There are many people out there looking to scam families suffering from medical conditions. If someone is providing you with information about a new therapy or medication, check the legitimacy of the source. Always discuss any new treatment options with your doctor first.

If you are looking for information and support about traumatic brain injury, join the TryMunity community today. You don’t have to go through this alone.