--- title: Denial After a Brain Injury description: Denial is a stage in the grief process. Many times it just doesn’t feel real, particularly after a brain injury. 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Denial After a Brain Injury # Denial After a Brain Injury Guest Author - Aimee Mortensen • Updated on 30 January, 2019 • Medically Reviewed by [Dr. Alina Fong](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/dr-alina-fong-phd) [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/denial-after-brain-injury%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/denial-after-brain-injury&media=https://info.cognitivefxusa.com/hubfs/Denial%20After%20a%20Brain%20Injury.png](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/denial-after-brain-injury%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/denial-after-brain-injury&media=https://info.cognitivefxusa.com/hubfs/Denial%20After%20a%20Brain%20Injury.png) ### What is Denial? Denial is a [stage in the grief process](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/grief-after-brain-injury). Many times it just **doesn’t feel real**. We may believe we’re imagining the pain or trauma we’re currently experiencing. It’s a bad dream, **a nightmare**. We’re in shock and we’re anxious to wake up and go back to our normal reality. As you read this article, if you have the desire to stop reading...don’t! That’s denial. You may have recently sustained a brain injury. Your traumatic brain injury or concussion may have come from a fall, sports accident, car accident, stroke or any number of things. One minute you’re you...and the next minute you’re not. The feelings of grief and loss are intense and **confusing**. You may tell yourself it’s fine, **everything will be alright**, you’ll get back to your old self with time. Just rest and take care of yourself. That’s what the doctors say. But, as time goes on, you may not go back to your old self. You continue to feel like you’re living someone else’s life. This, again, is denial. You may find yourself pinching your arm just to see if you can feel it. And to see if you’re still you. You may feel **numb**. ### I just want to be done with denial… Coping with this stage is a challenge. There’s no way to move the process along, or slow it down. In fact, enjoy this stage, it protects you by making you think it’s all a dream. This is common. **You’re not going crazy!** Traumatic brain injuries can cause numerous symptoms. #### You may experience a variety of symptoms including, but not limited to: - **Difficulty remembering** things that are important to you - Struggling to remember words - You feel **tired**. All. The. Time. - You **can’t focus** and concentrate - You get **headaches** - You have difficulty sleeping, or you **sleep** way too much - You can’t do the same exercises you did before, your **balance** has been affected - You struggle recalling the things you **read** and it takes you longer to read - You can’t have the TV on while your children play, that’s **overwhelming amounts of noise** - You **can’t process** the things you hear and/or see - You don’t want to eat, or you eat way more than you normally do; significant **appetite changes** - you may experience **depression and/or anxiety ** - Serious **decrease in motivation**, questioning if it’s worth it. Again, this isn’t really happening. Why put in the effort if I’ll wake up from this nightmare? Denial. - Your friends, or family members, frequently **get frustrated with you**. They may say things like “Your injury was 4 months ago! What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you remember? You seem different. You’re always upset. Are we ever going to get the old you back?” If they can’t *see* it, it doesn’t exist. You may have neuropsych testing done and are told you’re functioning above average. No accommodations are necessary, or even a possibility. You might even get an MRI of your brain and **there is “nothing wrong”**. You’re told you’ll adapt, or get used to it. This is your new reality. But, it can’t be! It just can’t. You have what’s frequently referred to as an **invisible injury**. You’re learning why. ### How long does the Denial Stage last? Denial can last minutes, or years. It can be constant or intermittent. Denial **protects us** while we don’t feel capable of feeling anything else. When our mind can’t accept our reality, we **pretend** it isn’t our reality.  I would encourage you to [**journal**](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/how-writing-can-help-you-during-concussion-recovery). Write down the things you’re struggling with, the things you’re doing well, and the things you’re grateful for. Write down everything you remember about your accident or injury. Monitor your improvement, changes, moods, and frustrations. **Write out the feelings** of denial, shock, confusion, and disbelief. In the future, nothing will give you more comfort than reading, from your own pen, the positive changes you’re making. If you’re not seeing positive changes, it will be great documentation for a doctor, or for Cognitive FX, to review when you seek treatment. Reach out and **talk to someone who gets it**. There’s nothing more validating than talking to someone who truly gets it, truly understands, and won’t judge you for how you’re dealing with the new version of you. Don’t deal with this alone. [![Meet out team of specialists that work together for better concussion treatment outcomes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2921058/450b1cbb-e2fd-4543-8fc4-6517ff923911.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2921058/450b1cbb-e2fd-4543-8fc4-6517ff923911) --- ### About the author [Guest Author - Aimee Mortensen](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/guest-author-aimee-francom) ## Related Posts ![Working Through Grief After a Concussion or Brain Injury](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Working%20Through%20Grief%20After%20a%20Concussion%20or%20Brain%20Injury.png?height=175&name=Working%20Through%20Grief%20After%20a%20Concussion%20or%20Brain%20Injury.png) ### Working Through Grief After a Concussion or Brain Injury [Guest Author - Aimee Mortensen](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/guest-author-aimee-francom) Grief and loss are a part of life, but they are the least talked about part of life. Have you ever wondered why that is? It is because grief is HARD. Going through it is difficult. We seem to feel if... [Read the full article ](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/grief-after-brain-injury) ![3 Ways Stress Impacts the Brain](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3%20Ways%20Stress%20Impacts%20the%20Brain.png?height=175&name=3%20Ways%20Stress%20Impacts%20the%20Brain.png) ### 3 Ways Stress Impacts the Brain | Cognitive FX ![Image of Ashley van Biljon](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/8eff68bdf859f5654dd23a56acd2c5f9) [Ashley van Biljon](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/guest-author-aimee-francom) Oxford Dictionaries defines [stress](https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/stress) as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” Everyone is very familiar with experiencing stressful... [Read the full article ](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/3-ways-stress-impacts-the-brain) ![Anger After a Brain Injury](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Anger%20After%20a%20Brain%20Injury.png?height=175&name=Anger%20After%20a%20Brain%20Injury.png) ### Anger After a Brain Injury [Guest Author - Aimee Mortensen](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/guest-author-aimee-francom) Anger is a stage in the grief process. Many times when we experience loss, or trauma, we experience **anger, irritability, frustration, or even frequent annoyance**. Anger is a healthy emotion, one we... [Read the full article ](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/anger-after-a-brain-injury) ![Do Helmets Prevent a Brain Injury](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Do%20Helmets%20Prevent%20a%20Brain%20Injury.png?height=175&name=Do%20Helmets%20Prevent%20a%20Brain%20Injury.png) ### Do Helmets Prevent a Brain Injury? [Savannah Rawl](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/guest-author-aimee-francom) Helmets are worn in countless sports and activities to protect the head from injury, specifically brain injury. We all wear helmets frequently in our lives, whether it is for something as as simple... [Read the full article ](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/do-helments-prevent-a-brain-injury) ![8 Fall Prevention Tips for your Grandparents](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8%20Fall%20Prevention%20Tips%20for%20your%20Grandparents.png?height=175&name=8%20Fall%20Prevention%20Tips%20for%20your%20Grandparents.png) ### 8 Fall Prevention Tips for your Grandparents ![Image of Cognitive FX Team](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rounded-C-R.jpg?height=70&name=Rounded-C-R.jpg) [Cognitive FX Team](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/guest-author-aimee-francom) Adults 65+ years have the highest rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) deaths, according to the [New York Department of Health](https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/0660/#fall). Regardless of your age now, we all get older, even if we don’t want to.... [Read the full article ](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/fall-prevention-tips-for-elderly) ![BIAU Gives the 2017 Professional Award to Dr. Lynn Guafin a Cognitive FX Partner](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BIAU%20Gives%20the%202017%20Professional%20Award%20to%20Dr.%20Lynn%20Guafin%20a%20Cognitive%20FX%20Partner.png?height=175&name=BIAU%20Gives%20the%202017%20Professional%20Award%20to%20Dr.%20Lynn%20Guafin%20a%20Cognitive%20FX%20Partner.png) ### BIAU Gives the 2017 Professional Award to Dr. Lynn Gaufin a Cognitive FX Partner ![Image of Cognitive FX Team](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rounded-C-R.jpg?height=70&name=Rounded-C-R.jpg) [Cognitive FX Team](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/author/guest-author-aimee-francom) **Written by theBrain Injury Alliance of Utah** [Read the full article ](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/lynn-gaufin-biau-professional-award) #### Proven Results Improvement in 77% of Participants Published peer-reviewed research shows that Cognitive FX treatment leads to meaningful symptom reduction in post-concussion symptoms for 77% of study participants. Cognitive FX is the only PCS clinic with third-party validated treatment outcomes. [ READ FULL STUDY ](https://www.tvnp.nl/inhoud/tijdschrift_artikel/NP-19-2-3/Cognitive-FX-behandeling-voor-aanhoudende-klachten-na-een-hersenschudding-Observatie-van-verandering-in-functioneren) [![Main_Logo_500px](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Main_Logo_500px.png?width=257&height=78&name=Main_Logo_500px.png "Main_Logo_500px")](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com) Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment 280 W River Park Drive Suite 110 Provo, UT 84604 [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/cognitivefx) [Follow us on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/cognitive_fx) #### Quick Links - [Blog](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog) - [Sign-Up for Free Consultation](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/start-here-paperwork-old) #### Support - [Contact Us](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/contactus) - [Patient Results](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/treatment-outcomes) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/privacypolicy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/terms-and-conditions) #### Solutions - [Good Fit Quiz](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/start-here-paperwork-old) - [EPIC Treatment](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/treatment) - [Post-Concussion Syndrome Information](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/post-concussion-syndrome-and-post-concussion-symptoms-pcs) - [fNCI Brain Scan](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/about-fnci) - [Online Course](https://cognitivefx.thinkific.com/courses/headaches) #### Company - [About](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/research-history) - [Press & Media](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/media) - [Our Team](https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/our-team) ### Sign Up For Our Newsletter Copyright © Cognitive FX 2024. 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