Schuyler went to VA, and he was told he might have a traumatic brain injury (TBI). He learned that being exposed to blasts can sometimes cause TBI. He began to recognize his own experience in many of the symptoms of TBI, and at first he felt hopeless. But reaching out for support gave him tools to improve his life and put him on a path to recovery.
View Video TranscriptSchuyler:
My mouth would get jammed up, and then I thought, you know, “Maybe there's something wrong with me, maybe something's not right.” So, I went down to the VA, and they asked me, they said, “Have you ever been blown up before? Or, have you ever been exposed to a blast?” I said, “Yeah, uh, yeah, quite a few times,” and they were like, “How many?” And I told them, and they were like, “Wow, well, you probably have traumatic brain injury.” And I thought, “No, I don't, you know, I don't drool out of my mouth, I can still go to the range and shoot my M4, I don't have any traumatic brain injury.” And then they started listing symptoms and asking me if I had them, “So, do you have trouble concentrating? Do you have a labile mood? Do you get angry from time to time or easily frustrated? Do you sometimes suffer anxiety and you don't know why? Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you sometimes feel depressed?” All the, I mean it seems like they listed every symptom that everybody has, you know, and they said it might be the result of traumatic brain injury. Apparently being close to these concussive blasts changes the air pressure and that pressure change can go through different orifices, your ears, your nose, your mouth, and it can actually put pressure on your brain, cause it to twist, it can put pressure on the frontal lobe, and it can cause anywhere from miniscule, moderate, to pretty severe damage, and some of that damage is characterized by inability to concentrate, inability to regulate mood, trouble organizing, trouble planning. It helped with my memory and concentration issues and how to regulate my mood and stuff like that, and that was a really productive experience, because at one point, I felt hopeless. I felt like I'm on the road to not recovering. I'm on the road, I'm on a downward spiral into some abyss of like, you know, mental disability, but working with speech pathology and TBI clinic at the VA just, I mean they had me turned around quick.
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The first step in addressing your challenges is to acknowledge that gambling has become a problem in your life and recognize that it is possible to make a change. Practice relaxation exercises such as deep breathing to manage stress and urges to gamble. Spend time with supportive people who do not gamble, and talk with your family, friends, or health care provider about what you're experiencing. They may be able to provide support and help you find solutions that are right for you. Learn more steps you can take on our Gambling page.
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There are ways to prevent yourself from engaging in risky behavior. Plan to avoid situations that might lead to recklessness. For example, leave early or late to avoid rush-hour traffic, or arrange a ride home if you'll be drinking. Talking with your family members, close friends, or a health care provider may help you find support and resources to address your challenges. Learn more steps you can take on our Reckless Behavior page.
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