2020.07.08:三Jul8th:Why Does Everything Seem So Surreal After Brain Injury? | BrainLine
Published by DB,
Why Does Everything Seem So Surreal After Brain Injury?
Question:
I survived a TBI in May 2010. Since that time everything feels surreal. It is as if I am 2-3 steps removed from everything that’s happening. Can you explain this?
Answer:
Following a traumatic brain injury, many people experience both their inner and outer worlds quite differently than they did before. There are a number of reasons for this. First, changes to the brain commonly impact a person’s memory, attention, concentration, problem-solving abilities, and reasoning skills. These changes can alter the way a person makes sense of or interacts with the world around them, resulting in very different thought processes and behaviors than the person may have had before the injury.
Changes to the parts of the brain that control either visual or auditory processing can also result in a person experiencing the world quite differently than they did before. When the brain receives information either by looking at something (visual input) or by listening to sounds (auditory input), the brain must de-code this information and make sense of it. When the parts of the brain that have this job are injured, people can have a difficult time accurately interpreting what they see or hear.
Finally, stress levels are substantially heightened for most people with TBI. Whether stress comes from the difficulty of having had a traumatic experience, from the challenge of living with changes to one’s abilities, from the emotional changes that can accompany brain injury, or from a combination of these factors, stress levels are likely to be high. Prolonged, intense stress "• especially when accompanied by trauma "• can have a significant impact on the way in which the brain functions. Survivors struggling to manage stress levels may notice further difficulty processing information or making meaning of themselves and their world.
Some people with brain injury may also experience what doctors refer to as depersonalization (DP) and/or derealization (DR). Depersonalization describes the experience of feeling like you are removed from yourself or as if you are in a dream. Derealization is the sensation that the world around you is unreal or is profoundly and grotesquely changed. Often, DP and DR occur at the same time. The majority of people who note frequent bouts with DP/DR have experienced some type of significant trauma. DP/DR can also occur as a result of injuries or illnesses which impact neurological functioning. Although there is still much to learn with respect to why some people experience DP/DR following a traumatic brain injury, the experience may be more common than was previously thought. In fact, in one study, as many as half of the patients with TBI reported experiencing at least occasional instances of DP/DR¹,². It appears that people with TBI may be more likely to experience DP/DR when they also meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
If you frequently have the sensation that either you or the world around you is unreal and/or dreamlike, speak to your doctor about this. Your physician may be able to prescribe a medication regimen that could help to reduce these symptoms. Additionally, consider seeing a counselor about ways to reduce the significant stressors in your life. The counselor can also help by providing support and encouragement to assist you in coping with times when you experience DP/DR. Combining stress reduction, professional support, and a comprehensive wellness and medication management plan is the most effective approach to regaining a sense of stability and security in yourself and your world.
Sources
- Grigsby J, Kaye K: Incidence and correlates of depersonalization following head trauma. Brain Inj 1993; 7:507–513.
- Lambert, M, Sierra, M, Phillips, M, David, A: The spectrum of organic depersonalization: A review plus four new cases. J Neuropsych Clin N 2002; 14:141-154.
Posted on BrainLine May 22, 2013. Reviewed July 26, 2018.
Emilie Godwin, PhD, LPC, MFT is a faculty member and licensed clinician at Virginia Commonwealth University, with a specialty focus on couples and family counseling after brain injury. Currently, she serves as the Family Support Program Coordinator for the VCU TBI Model System projects.
Comments (50)
Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.
Years ago my Doctors didnt believe me when I told them I felt like I was having outer body experiences. Like I was watching myself. When I had flooding before It was called flooding I could hear myself crying, speaking, or yelling but it wasn't me. Like I was watching this person control all my emotions and I had no control. It was scary. I was told a few years ago, I had what they call a "deep" head injury.
I went head 1st through the side door window of a car- opening the window with my head on impact from the other car. She was going estimated 55mph. We were stopped. I was in the back seat, exactly where she hit. My head was split open in the front as my body, in shock landed on the sidewalk with the back of my head banging up against the corner of the side walk.
When I woke in the hospital I knew I had parents but couldn't remember what they looked liked. My sisters and brothers - I felt like I didnt really know who these people were.
My mother and I well it was just awful. I thought she was just mean and she thought I was being a brat.
I was having trouble hearing and everything sounded muffled.
I struggled to understand what people were saying. If I said I didnt hear or understand and asked... I was told I was a liar and got punished. My thoughts all came right out my mouth - I had no control over it. My music was to loud for my mom. She would lower it and I couldn't hear it. She would disagree and become very angry and fustrated with me. This was on going.
Eventually they took me to get my ears checked and sure enough my ear drum was barely reactive. I couldn't understand what the tester was saying because she covered her mouth.
I pushed myself to get better and go back to school. I was lost - very lost. In a chronic state of confusion. I actually couldn't really understand much. I would be in the halls feeling like I was watching myself -watching everyone around me. This happened for several years after my TBI. 1985
very helpful to read, 20 years in from multiple concussions over a small span of time, I often say to family members I feel like Im outside looking in, viewing a world in technicolour, and as a joke flicking the lightswitch here in my house but turning the light on in the room 3 houses down ..... I kinda am getting better at dealing with it and it comes and goes, but anxiety always seems to lie there just under the surface.... keep up the good fight people, you are not alone ....
And let’s not forget that psychiatric drugs are a very well-known cause of the type of brain damage which causes the symptoms this article mentions. Don’t ever forget that. That bit of information may well save your life. And if you started out with PTSD after the drugs do their number on you you will certainly have it much worse than you did originally. Or if you didn’t have it to begin with you will certainly develop it. From the drug damage itself which is an incredibly traumatic experience.
Hi, 4 months ago I was in a car accident. I never went to the hospital for a tbi or concussion diagnosis, but I know I have something. After the accident I developed a panic disorder because I didn’t feel like I was me. I felt like a different person in the same body and this feeling gave me daily panic attacks. Also, something really weird happened, my social anxiety I had before the accident disappeared. I used to be able to watch scary movies. Now I get so anxious I feel as if I’m a character in the movie, which also leads to panic attacks. Everytime I try to go to sleep it’s just me and my thoughts, which often gives me panic attacks. Driving, eating spicy foods, learning new information, even hearing a door creak gives me panic attacks. The weirdest most random things give me panic attacks or make me feel anxious. I’m also constantly sleeping which is harder for me to get to work on time. I feel like my mind is blank, like it doesn’t even exist, it’s not in my head, my head is just empty. The only emotion I feel is anxiety and panic.
Hi, went through a big tbi 6 months ago snowboarding. Had a terrible break down 2 months after and have been feeling ok until a few days ago. The anxiety and stress of moving I think caused a relapse and it feels worse than ever. The feeling of dreaming and super detached has me feeling like I have brain cancer or something. It’s such a relief hearing others go though this and it’s normal. I’ve had A lot of concussions in my life but this one messed up my vision and reality. So scary trying to provide for a family and be there for them when u can barely get out of bed without being scared. I notice I am always crying now over stupid things. It’s really embarrassing. I feel so bad for my wife and kids having to see me go through this.
Just wanted to say my heart goes out to you!!( I’m in a similar situation) I also suffered TBI about 5 weeks ago, and still don’t feel quite right. I’m hoping the cognitive skills that have slowed will eventually return. Ofcoarse the internet is a double edged sword. Great for information, but so many stories of people never getting back to 100%, makes it hard to stay positive. Has anyone actually had positive improvement after a 5/6 weeks or is that likely to be it ?
I was in an accident October of 2000. I don’t know what happened. I don’t remember anything at all. My injuries did not match where or what I was doing. I lost all memory of my life and people in it. One and a half years later my memory came back due to a drug I had taken. I had some long term issues due to the accident and some short term ones that are thankfully now gone. However, I don’t feel like I’m from here anymore. I don’t mean this area or my hometown. I mean this planet. This is not my home. This body may have started here but who or what’s inside is different. As if a voyager on a far off mission sent here to do what I’m unsure. I am knowledgeable about things I shouldn’t know anything about. I’m am driven by an unexplainable force I cannot stop and yet still have no clue where it’s taking me. What I have learned about this planet is that it is filled of a world full of learned responses blind to the true realities of life and this world. The primitive nature of our existence is just that, primitive and somewhat disappointing. This planet is a vacation destination for the universe. A melting pot of universal species forced to live on the same rock.
What you don’t understand is that I now see they the filters of society and learned behavior. On this planet anything is possible if you know how to do it. Literally anything. We are only confined by our inabilities to see past our own hinderance of imagination and belief that anything is truly possible. We are given a gift to live on this rock. This planet of possibilities. I am here for reasons I have yet to figure out. I walk among you in the masses and yet do not belong.
Life is daily, never forget. Perspective is everything.
Hi mate, sorry to hear what happened. Do u know what drug you took? cheers
I also feel disconnected or even possessed. Sometimes I feel like myself but most of the time I feel like someone else are you still watch TV all the time well when I got home from work I don't watch TV anymore my house is full of clutter nick-nacks him Little things I used to be a minimum is I am a stranger in my own world I just do things differently or think things differently . A friend of mine was watching Bohemian Rhapsody and I watched it as if a oil painting was moving around I hear cricket score tree frogs when there's nothing there I have problems concentrating controlling my emotions I get really aggravated when I can't do what I used to do decision-making forget it
Hi all, I am now 31 but was in a motorbike accident over 10 years ago and was in a coma for a month due to this. My balance is still shocking and I get dizzy everytime I tilt my head back. Over the time I have got more of a understanding about my injury and emotions, however even if I cannot fully recover just talking about it is amazing and been able to read others experiances lets me realise nobody is alone. Accept all the support and rehabilitation whenever you can. I never used medication just self belief and help from the professionals to get where i am today. Time is the biggest healer so use has much theoropy as fast has you can an eventually your brain will subconciously learn to develop again. Every week I attend a T.B.I centre to help others alike so I can try inspire and give them whatever incentive they require. Also I would like to let people without T.B.I understand us too. I am very lucky to be alive and not ashamed to show it anymore but my recovery did'nt just involve luck. Keep motivated and stay healthy because your older body will be the only thing that thanks you for that. Peace love everyone and take care XD
I had a high grade TBI 6 years ago from a car accident. Saturday 4 days ago I banged my head hard. I feel like I’m dreaming and don’t have emotional feelings inside right now, but other things feel quite amazing. Like my bath water feels like silk but my close feel awful. I just don’t want to be going backward it took 2.5 years in regard and I’ve just regained my word flow. I’m scared.
Hello.
On my last snowboarding trip I had hit my head quite hard. as I was making my way down the mountain I started to question if i was dreaming or not, I asked my mother, who is a nurse, about it and she assured me I was not dreaming .
I had to go back up the mountain to get to the car so i took my time and slowly got down to the parking lot. the session was strange, but everything looked quite beautiful, like there was a camra filter and lots of contrast over evrthing.
By dinner i felt pretty much like normal and i haven't had problems since.
I got back on the mountain the next day with no issues.
Is this something I should worry about? If this happens to me or somone I know again is there some actions I could take to reduce risk?
I can't fully answer your question, but if anyone gets concussed, or may be concussed, it is VERY important that they avoid any further possible head injury until the concussion is FULLY better. E.g. stop snowboarding if you have a concussion/possible concussion. This is because a second concussion (before the first one is healed) could lead to "second-impact syndrome", where the second knock on the head (even if not that hard) can lead to severe injury or death.
I've received a concussion 5 years ago. Back then everything around me had seemed glamorous and I was the most sociable kid in the class. Everyone around me and everything has had a sense of surrealism. I still feel alienated by the world around me as I feel like I live outside of society and want to return only not to fit in. It honestly has been a roller coaster realizing my work ethic significantly has declined. To me, the concussion faced by many can give them a new life and drive them to question who they are and not mesh well with the society we see today
Since 2006 and a brain injury I have experienced situations similar to the movie the adjustment bureau and star trek next generation parallels season 7 episode 11 almost as if I exist or experience a parallel reality. It now 12 years later and I have come to grips that what we consider life as linear is not what I experience. I would not wish this experience on any one I welcome my return back home one day.
I sustained a traumatic brain injury two years ago now. Woke up from a coma about a week later. Ever since then, I've felt like I woke up in a parallel universe, with people that are the same, but entirely different. I feel as though I'm living in the universe that was created from the smallest slice of a possible outcome; the one where I survived my car crash, and recovered 80% of my processing ability. I feel as though in every other universe, I died. I feel like the parents I remember, exist in a parallel universe where their son died in a car crash, ejected from the windshield. I'm just an anomaly. I don't belong here, and nobody understands.
I am saddened to hear your words, yet can accurately say that I understand them well. In 2009 I fractured my L occipital bone and have not been the same, not for a fleeting second, since. I understand. I cannot offer anything that will be able to alter your state of being, only that I know. You are not alone. Sending sincere thoughts for peace.
I have derealization am I am only 12 years old. I have been having it for about 1.5 months now. It is extremely scary. I am constantly scared. I feel like I am living a dream. It is always the worst once I wake up because I can't prove to myself that I am not in another dream. The thought frightens me. Also I question my existence constantly. I question everything and the thoughts I recieve pannic me. I haven't recieved a concussion that I know of. But I play football and maybe it has something to do with that. Last season I do remember getting hit hard but I haven't got derealization until like a month ago. This season just started and I am playing a little more cautious.
What you should do is reality checks. Count your fingers and if you can’t count your fingers then you’ll know your dreaming, it’s more for comfort.
I know you probably won't see this, but if you do, try to look at yourself in a mirror or read something to prove to yourself that you're awake, neither works in dreams. Sometimes this is the only way I can anchor when it gets intense.
Good luck, I hope it passes!
About 3 months ago I suffered a concussion only about a month and a half after having another concussion. I'm 18 years old and have had 6 concussions in my life and 4 of those are in the past year and a half. The symptoms from the 5 previous concussions were all the same with a headache, some nausea, and maybe some dizziness. However, my last concussion was a lot different. As soon as I got hit in the head, I had a lot of ringing in my ears and had confusion and shortly after, the derealization began to start. I had very bad anxiety trying to dealing with this from that day until around 2 months later. I was desperately searching the internet searching for other people who had this feeling and if it would go away when I came upon this thread. Reading these comments made my anxiety so much worse because I was reading these stories about how their derealization hadn't gone away for years and were still dealing with it and I never thought I would return back to normal. I just want anyone that comes upon this thread with a similar story to mine or anyone with derealization to know that IT CAN go away. For me it took around 2 and a half months for it to really go away. The brain is a slow healing organ and it does not go away instantly like I was and I'm sure you are hoping for. It takes time. I know all you want to do is just stay and inside and not move or go anywhere but BELIEVE ME after a certain amount of time resting, go outside and do things. It's very scary I know because everything feels unreal or like a dream, but you have to do your best to try and push through it. The more you do this the better it's gonna help you. You CAN get better and I know it's very hard to believe that you will, but there are plenty or people out there including myself who have gotten better out there and returned to normal. And for the people who have commented on this thread and have had derealization for years, I have the upmost and tremendous respect for you. It feels like a nightmare every second of every single day and the fact that you all go out and live your lives or even if you don't is incredible. This was by far one of the hardest or the hardest thing I have ever gone through in my life both emotionally and physically. I know how difficult it is to really explain to people how it feels and it's impossible for someone to really understand how it feels unless they have gone through it themselves. So again, the fact that you all choose to go out and live your lives with this is ridiculously brave. I just want to help people that come to this thread understand that their lives aren't over and that there is hope. If anyone ever wants someone to talk to about this or how they are feeling feel free to email me at adam9129129@gmail.com. DONT LOSE HOPE.
Hey there I’m 33 years old and I’m on my 6th week of concussion thers some days were I feel good like I’m recovering and then I’ll get a few days were I feel dizzy again. This is tuff. I feel like I’m never going to get better I don’t feel my self... I Kobe it’s normal to feel like this cause yes this is a concussion. Did you have bad days and good days thank u
Thanks Adam. These posts usually just add to the anxiety because the comments are from people who are in the midst of it but they don't post again when they recover. I am grateful for the hope that you have given me by your comments. Sometimes hope is all you need
Wow this was such an incredible read and very calming. I just came across this thread because I woke up from a nightmare and I tend to have really vivid negative dreams all the time since my brain surgery 4 months ago. Your words are not only profound for 18 but uplifting and very understanding of the people potentially reading it. I appreciate you going back after coming out of DR and making a post!
Thank you. My daughter (17) just recently had a door hit the back of her head last week. Just the corner caught the back of her head as it swung closed.
A year prior she was thrown ftom a horse and had only pain. No nausea a little dizziness but sge was fine.
After this recent injury she started feeling disconnected and neither of us had any idea this happens. Still worried but more at ease now.
I have exactly this, depersonalisation and decentralisation.
I must be in a smaller catergory because I simply do not feel stress.
My focal area of my brain took a hit in a car accident and I suffered a Diffuse Axional Injury and maybe a hypoxia injury. Witnesses said they approached the car and they thought I was dead and after sometime let out a gasp and then they heard me breath. I was out for 40minutes.
A guy described this issue like being stuck in a 70s martial arts movie where the video is grainy and the audio is dubbed and not synced.
I thought this was a spot on description. One of my ears has a really high scratching sound and the my vision also got damaged which most likely explains for a lot of the DP and DC.
I'm basically tired all the time.
Regards Chris/ Australia
Interesting article and thanks for sharing, Emilie. It reminds me that I felt in a "dream-like" state for years after my accident over 50 years ago- "floating up in the sky", wondering what was real that and I could do ANYTHING!!
Regards craig
www.traumaticbraininjury.wordpress.com​
www.headbraininjury.wordpress.com, etc
PPS
"You’re not disabled (limited) by your disabilities, you are able (enabled) by your abilities."
I am writing a book, on my TBI, which led to anoxia and coma, and so much of my recovery was RECOVERING MY EGO. The ego, I've learned, is so important for us to function on this plane. It separates us from others, it gives us an identity, it's what kids don't have yet. And this funny feeling you're describing.....it might be like what I fett when awakening from coma and for years after - that I wasn't a separate me, I was connected to everything. (I was like a little child.)
I can't wait to get my book out, the journals I kept during my 20 year recovery. RECOVERY OF MY EGO. In that was held my memories, my gut feelings, etc. It's like your brain work has to be connected a your person, in order to make it work for you. And that identity, is your precious ego. So many Eastern thinkers say get past your ego. Absolutely not! (but that's another discussion topic.)
You seem to be describing a way to "change yourself" in order to fit into a system of "ego" that obviously hasn't worked for a few thousand years?
Stepping back, sitting down and finding "your place" might take a long, long time but scurrying around as fast as you can to "feel good"? Apply that to 6 billion people with such "flare" as you describe we would all be in deep shit. Who would lead, you or my ego? We would have too battle it out I guess see who wins the ego challenge? YIKES more TBI's.
I had 3 aneurysms, 2 CVAs/strokes, craniotomy and part cerebellum removal. I live this exactly. I felt so alone not hearing about anyone with these affects. I'm so sorry you all have gone through this as well.
I am thirteen, and suffered a traumatic brain injury at age 11. No one saw me get it but some classmates, so my parents thought I just hit my head and got a bloody nose. Instead, I was sprinting on a new gym floor, and tripped over someone, and hit my head hard. I don't remember after that, for I had lost consciousness. I rolled and hit my head 3 times. (I know this from classmates later telling me). No doctor could see anything wrong, but I know it was a bad concussion because I had intense confusion after that and could not walk straight for days. Plus, I did not know my way around the school, and happened to gain new musical ability. To this day, I do not feel normal, everything feels so surreal. It is obvious that it won't get better from that after 2 1/2 years from the concussion. Thank you for is article so much. I have finally found some answers to why I feel this way.
I can't find the words of appreciation and relief I feel find your site. I'm in my early sixties and have battled mental illness my entire life, however, at the age of eleven I suffered a head injury that went untreated. A change in my personality/behavior was noted, by teachers and some family members, but nothing was ever done beyond that. I've always had episodes of this feeling of being unhinged or as if I was watching a movie, and always disconnected to what I was seeing. It has been very unnerving and troublesome, I've been misdiagnosed as bi-polar, and now I'm wondering about the diagnoses of clinical depression? I found your site and your experience and others FITS to a tee exactly what happens when I have 'episodes' and now I have something I feel I can explore. What REALLY as helped me finding you is knowing I'm not "crazy" that this experience is felt by others, it's a real thing. SO, thank you for sharing what I know is a difficult situation to put out there, bless you and I'll keep exploring. <3
Hope this helps someone. It can be very bad in the initial stages of recovery. In my first 3 conscience and remembered days, I seriously didn't believe I was in a real hospital even though I had significant physical injuries, as well as a serious concussion. I thought that someone was playing an elaborate practical joke on me, that the hospital room, nurses, doctors, and my physical injuries were all being faked somehow. If you have experienced anything like this after a concussion, you're not crazy. It was because of the brain injury.
It is all too true! It is hard to find work in any skilled profession that accommodates a short work day or less days in a week for those of us with a TBI. Society & the USA economy is built on a 40 hour work week.
If you read this, remember, you are not alone ¡¡¡¡¡¡
Yeah, is true the world and the reality change in seconds and violently, the only thing we can do is adapt to survive and maybe become in something better than we are before.
We are Survivors and extreme strong people that can charge this cross, we can with this.
Best regards from Chile. sorry for my poor English
Wow! I tried to explain this to family and friends after my TBI in 2002! It has diminished through the years especially when I am in nature! Thanks
So well written. Many people dismiss the after days of a TBI as "nothing notable" because it takes time and reflection to notice that things have gone different.
It is good 15 years later to have someone finally explain it! theres been a need for a site like this for so long. Thank you to everyone involved.
It is all too true. What is hard is surviving in a world that does not understand, validate and/or accommodate us. Society views 40 hour work week as the norm. Unless you work for yourself, it is difficult at best to find livable-wage employment that allows resting periods to make it through a day. No benefits or health insurance unless we buy them ourselves. Do we eat or have health insurance? Social Security Disability is denied to so many of us even with a lawyer. Many who do get SSD find it hard to make it on 800 month; many do not get much. It is like society does not even see us tho we exist. It's a hard world to survive and navigate on our own but many of us do somehow.
This site has helped me so much, thank you! I have both PTSD and a TBI and many symptoms seem to overlap which is frustrating but knowing i'm not alone or completely off my rocker helps.
I have MS...mostly in my brain & this is exactly how I feel! Thank you do much for this....the MS Society has nothing on it and the only info I could find was about dissociative disorder (psychiatric). I know others with MS feel this well as well...what a Godsend this page is!