Cogntive slowness and 'blocked thoughts' - feel like my thinking and thoughts are like wading through treacle

[NooNooHead1981]

I suppose this comes under mental health in a way, as it is making me very anxious and depressed to think my brain doesn't work as well as it used to.

I am not being conceited in saying that I have always considered myself to be quite intelligent, not overly so, and possibly I have undiagnosed Asperger's or ADHD, which may contribute to my anxiety in general.

Anyway, with this background knowledge of self-awareness, it is safe to say that I have noticed a considerable decline in my mental health over the past couple of years since a mild traumatic brain injury. And it is this self awareness which is really making it harder.

I had a head injury and post concussion syndrome two years ago, and now often get slowness of thoughts and a sensation when I think or concentrate too hard like my thoughts are ‘blocked’ by an invisible force or something in my head. It is very odd and quite frightening to think that aged 36 I have some mild cognitive decline and my brain has been damaged.

Has anyone else ever had cognitive problems so late after a head injury? I’m petrified of getting worse - I can’t imagine not being able to use my brain as I used to be able to.

I feel completely misunderstood at times too, and when I described my symptoms to my GP or my DH, the doctor says concussion can lead to amnesia type symptoms, and my DH says I'll just have to get a job doing something else that doesn't involve using my brain so much (I'm a copywriter). How can I come to terms with this too? I don't like to think of any further cognitive decline in the future, and I know things may improve but the recent 'wading through treacle' sensations in my head have made me feel quite pessimistic.

That sounds tough. I can only offer this with the warning that my expertise is non existent however I have had family members, friends and in-laws with brain injuries, goodness knows why we seem to have collected so many as a group but there you go.

I observe that they all of them have improved over a longer period of time than the medics told us to expect. I'm talking years after.

I hope someone more helpful might come along soon. Best wishes to you in your recovery.

I work with people with brain injuries, though I am not an expert in cognitive function at all. My understanding is that generally the symptoms improve over timecrather than decline. And yes there is good evidence to show that improvements contine for many years after, al be it at a slower rate than the initial recovery.

I have experienced significant cognitive problems similar to what you describe myself due to anxiety and PTSD. Just wondering is the anxiety is making your cognition worse rather than the other way around. I've found that with anti depressants, therapy and time it's improved again.