Distraught after head trauma; What can I keep myself busy with, if not reading or most physical activities?

Question

I was recently in a car accident where I ended up with a closed head injury. At first, it wasn't so bad, I recovered pretty quickly, but, it seems I am somewhat regressing, now.

First, I still get physically exhausted pretty fast. Anything from running or biking for a while, to walking a long distance will tire me out for the whole rest of the day. Even when this stuff used to make me feel physically tired, I used to feel great afterwards because I got exercise. Now, I feel kind of lazy.

Not to mention, I haven't been able to sit down to focus on anything, either. I can't read for more than about 15 minutes, sometimes a little more, sometimes even less. I can't seem to focus on a movie or at least sit still. I watched the Olympics last night and kept forgetting who was doing which event.

My attention span in general is very low. If I'm holding a conversation and someone speaks to me for more than a half a minute, I find that I am unlikely to remember what they were talking about in the first place.

Now, when I'm not focusing on anything, I have a hundred thoughts floating through my head, ranging from my anxiety over upcoming college classes I might not be able to even take anymore, to recent relationship troubles. I get very irritated and depressed rather quickly, when I don't have anything to do with myself.

However, if I can't read for very long, or if I can't seem to focus on a movie, and most physical activities make me really tired, what else can I do to keep myself busy, so I don't wind up feeling angry and depressed all the time?

Answer 1

Are you following up with any doctors? If not make yourself a appointment. You might need to get in with someone for cognitive therapy. The sooner the better!

Answer 2

i would go see my doctor and then a therapist.

Answer 3

My father had gone through the same thing following a bad car accident. Some of the "thoughts" running through your head, especially the anxiety could be from the medications.

As for activities that will help you build your mental capacity/concentration, the doctors had my father try to converse as often as possible. He was also instructed to write letters/E-mails to people. Puzzles/games of all sorts were used regularly, from every card game, crosswords, word games, scrabble to checkers.

Good luck and have faith, it is a slow process that will take hard work and determination, but can be done.