By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief
Every year as March approaches, I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in Brain Injury Awareness Month at the nation’s capitol. However, with the pandemic, we are once again unable to gather in Washington, DC.
This led me to create a virtual brain injury awareness day event via Zoom … this will be my second year hosting this free event for survivors, caregivers, and professionals alike.
Save the date for March 16th from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CST, and plan to join us to hear from an incredible lineup of speakers. You can register for free: www.facesoftbi.com/event
This issue is packed full of helpful information about the central nervous system. After a brain injury, you may often notice you are constantly stuck in “fight or flight” mode, although you may not realize what that is. You may notice symptoms including sound sensitivity, startle reflex, fatigue, sleep problems, easy overwhelm, shaking, anxiety, and gut issues.
When you’re stuck in “fight or flight” mode, relaxing or focusing may seem impossible. Our body’s natural reaction to unexpected stimuli is to go on-guard to protect us … which includes conserving energy and sending blood flow to our extremities. Our body releases cortisol (a stress hormone), and we get stuck in this cycle, unable to turn it off and go back into “rest and digest” mode.
The problem is our bodies aren’t meant to stay in “fight or flight” mode, which can completely disrupt our daily life. We often don’t understand why we feel the way we do.
The good news is the issue is treatable with the correct therapies. Functional neurology is a great place to start, as traditional doctors sometimes don’t understand the complexity of our nervous system and how brain injury affects it.
My hope is the articles in this issue will help inspire you, and maybe even give you the nudge you need to seek proper treatment from a professional who truly understands how to help you.
