How To Overcome Trauma And Rebuild Confidence

Often others that haven’t been through brain aneurysm surgery don’t realize, even though I survived, my pain is not caused by the physical disability I now have.  They think that because I survived my brain aneurysm surgery, I should be grateful and pain-free. However, they don't realize that the surgery left me with significant emotional damage, and that the pain I experience is very real and very debilitating.

Even though I've been through a lot, I try to stay positive and focus on the good things in my life. But some days are really hard, and all I can do is just try to get through it. I hope that someday people will be able to see past my physical appearance and realize that I'm still me.

When I woke up in the hospital after my aneurysm burst, I didn't recognize the person in the mirror. My head was shaved where they had operated, and there was a huge scar with ugly stitches circling down the side of my skull.

My once-bright eyes were sunken and dark, and my skin was pallid and covered in bruises.  One eye was swollen shut.  It would have stayed that way but the surgeon fixed it.  I was lucky because many patients don't get that done.  I felt like I was looking at a stranger.  

I find it sad that others act like I look nice "enough" because I'm alive. It's like they think that just because I'm breathing, I'm somehow automatically grateful enough not to be unhappy with the way I look.  Look at me!  My skin so pale and dark circles around my eyes.  My hair only a couple inches long.  Long enough to stick out in weird directions but too short to brush it down.  But for some reason I'm supposed to be grateful to be alive and not care how ugly I look.   

I don't feel very nice or beautiful most of the time. I feel tired and anxious and sad. I worry about the future and I miss the people and things that I've lost. And yet, somehow, when others see me, they often seem fake and tell me that I look nice. They say that I'm pretty or that I have a nice smile. Of course, I say thank you but I know they are full of shit. 

Then they arrogantly look in the mirror and put themselves down. They think they're better than everyone else, when in reality, they're just like everyone else. They must believe that or they couldn't possibly stand next to someone that's dealing with their looks after brain surgery. 

They just told me I look nice.  Seriously?  Pathetic, to actually think it's okay to curl their hair and complain about the way they look.  They're not special or unique, they're just arrogant. And what's worse is that they don't even realize it. It's pathetic and it needs to stop.

How my day started

I love walking around my town, taking in all the sights and sounds. It's so comfortable and old-fashioned, filled with friendly people. Even though I'm often alone, I always smile. I know that everyone is just busy with their own lives, but it feels like they're all looking out for me. I really appreciate that. It makes me feel like I belong here.

Plus, this town is just so darn cute. I can't help but smile when I see the charming houses and shops. Everything feels so natural and unhurried. It's a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city. I'm really lucky to live in such a special place.

I catch my reflection in a window and I am disgusted. I look ugly. My skin is so pale and my hair is barely there but what exists is a  mess. I can't even stand to look at myself. I hate the way I look. I feel like everyone who sees me must be disgusted by what they see. I can't even bear to walk back to the house slow because I don't want anyone to see me.

I know I need to do something about the way I feel, but I don't even know where to start. It feels like an impossible task. But maybe, if I can find the courage to take that first step, I'll be able to find a way to love myself again.

A brain aneurysm can be a life-changing event. Not only can it cause physical changes, but it can also lead to emotional ones. One common emotional change is a loss of confidence in your appearance. This is perfectly normal, and there are things you can do to begin rebuilding your confidence.  It's not easy but worth a try.

My Advice

1. Understand that your brain aneurysm is not your fault.

2. Talk to others that have been through a similar experience.

3. Seek professional help if you are struggling to cope.

4. Give yourself time to grieve the loss of your old self.

5. Focus on the things you can control, like your diet and exercise routine.

6. Find a new hobby or activity to help you feel more confident.

7. Set small goals for yourself and celebrate when you reach them.

8. Remember that you are still the same person, just with a few physical changes.

9. Don’t compare yourself to others—everyone is on their own journey.

10. Be patient with yourself and know that your confidence will grow in time.

I never thought I would be the kind of person to write a blog post about my appearance. I was always confident in my looks, even when other people didn't see what I saw. But then, everything changed when I had a brain aneurysm.  

Rebuilding confidence after a brain aneurysm can be a long and difficult journey, but it is possible with time and effort. Be patient with yourself, focus on the things you can control, and find support from others that understand what you’re going through—soon you will begin to feel like yourself again!

A Letter to You

Dear you,

I want to talk to you about something that's been on my mind a lot lately. It's about confidence, and more specifically, how to build confidence in your looks after a brain aneurysm.

I know that after your aneurysm burst, you were terrified of what people would think of you. You were worried that they would see you as damaged goods, that they would look at you with pity or disgust. And for a long time, that fear paralyzed you. You didn't want to leave the house, didn't want to take pictures with friends, and missed out on a lot of fun experiences because you were too self-conscious to participate.

But I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way. You can be confident again. You can love yourself and your body just as much as you did before the aneurysm. Here's how:

1. Accept what has happened The first and most important step is to accept what has happened. It's okay to grieve for the person you were before the aneurysm, but don't dwell on it. There's no use living in the past; you can only move forward from here. So give yourself some time to mourn, and then make the decision to start fresh.

2. Be patient The road to recovery is going to be long and difficult, and there will be days when you feel like you're never going to get better. But I promise you, things will improve with time. Your physical scars will fade and your mental ones will heal. Just be patient and keep moving forward.

3. Find a role model One of the best ways to get inspired is to find someone who has been in your shoes and come out the other side stronger and more confident than ever before. There are plenty of stories out there of people who have gone through similar experiences and come out stronger for it—find one that resonates with you and hold onto it for dear life when self-doubt starts creeping in.

4 Focus on your positive qualities  Everyone has things about them that they don't like—that's just part of being human. But instead of focusing on your physical flaws, try to focus on the qualities that make you unique and beautiful in your own right—even if they're not traditionally considered "attractive." Maybe it's your kindness, your sense of humor, or your ability to light up a room when you walk into it—whatever it is, let those qualities shine through and don't be afraid to show them off to the world.

Life after a brain aneurysm can be tough—there's no denying that fact. But it's important to remember that you're not alone in this journey; there are others who have gone through Similar experiences and come through victorious on the other side . Use their stories as inspiration when things get tough ,and never forget that YOU ARE WORTHY OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS JUST AS YOU ARE

Constantly remind yourself of your strengths ,and focus on living life each day to The fullest !with a burst brain aneurysm aftermath can be challenging But survive you will and through this process you will come out stronger than ever before! SO take it each day at a time believe in yourself continue growing stay positive and surround yourself with loved ones!  You got this! 

Love,

Me

As time went on, I realized that dwelling on what I looked like on the outside wasn't going to do me any good. Instead, I needed to focus on getting better and healing both physically and mentally. With the help of my family and friends, I slowly started to love myself again for who I was on the inside, not just the outside.

If you're reading this, then chances are you or someone you know has gone through something similar. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone. There are plenty of people out there who understand what you're going through and who can help you through this tough time. If you need help learning to love yourself again after a brain injury, don't hesitate to reach out—we're here for you.