Section 6 is another small section. It only contains 15 items and most of these are  classed as improvements, or items not observed. Item 6.12 “Difficulty relaxing” was not scored in 2012. Let us begin with a table:

I cannot remember the last time I encountered unexplained odours (one example: I opened a kitchen cupboard that only holds clean china and noticed a strange odour. But there was nothing in that cupboard that could emit a smell. In another case I walked the upstairs hall and noted an odd smell. When I returned less than a minute later to investigate, the smell was gone). I have no memory of any such incident after Spring 2013.

The last incidence of hearing music was in Fall of 2012 when I wrote a letter of complaint to the condo board and was advised by them that no other resident reported hearing any music.

My last experience of temperature shifts was during the winter, These were strange as I had spent a lot of time sealing air leaks around doors and windows and then testing to ensure no air infiltration. Despite this I had a sense of drafts when I could find no objective evidence of any air flow. This was true despite the fact that I was well bundled up in warm clothing. I had the same sensation when sleeping under a down comforter.

Not sure what is meant by twitching. If I interpret it as being full body movements then the last remembered incident would have been Spring 2013. I have an area on my left check that has atrophied and this area seems at times  to “twitch” or pulse. Not quite sure how to describe that sensation but it is clearly different from a full body twitch, or jerk.

The last major reaction to sound occurred earlier this year when I met with some members of a non-profit in which I am a participant. We met in a pub and I had to leave as soon as I arrived as I could not handle the music. I continue to have a reaction to sound if I shop in a crowded and noisy venue. I schedule shopping during off peak periods and appear better able to cope at these times. Until recently, I would have had a huge urge to flee if the shop was noisy or crowded. So this item remains observable but it no longer has significant impact.

I once enjoyed very quick reflexes but now lack confidence in my ability to react. I have become very cautious in driving and seek to avoid being on the road during busy times or at night. I also noted slow reaction times in early August when I tried getting on a bicycle for the first time in several years. I was very uncomfortable. On a bike everything depends on the rider being able to react to road events, other riders, vehicles, road debris etc. I was very conscious of slow reaction times and lack the confidence to ride anywhere other than on deserted bike pathways.

I did not think of night vision as being associated with TBI but have noted that since the accident I seem to have more problems with glare from oncoming vehicles and greater difficulty discerning objects. I avoid driving after dark. In fact, I avoid driving altogether and only use the car when I visit my Doctors and I typically combine that visit with a grocery shop. When I drive, I only operate in the quiet period between the two rush hours.

I have not thought much about relaxing and it was not until I had to score this item that I realized first, that I do not “relax” or “take time off,” and second, that I appear to have difficulty relaxing. This is especially noted when I seek to go to sleep. I appear to be unable to “switch off,” and will spend long periods in bed attempting to fall asleep.

I did have a sense of observing myself from afar during the period when I was in conflict over accepting the fact of my injury. There were periods during this time when I appeared to be out of my body and watching myself operate. I have not had this experience since that time.

I am not completely clear on what is meant by “altered consciousness.”

There was a period during the first year after the accident when I sought to hide the fact I had forgotten the thread of a conversation by switching topics or by talking at length while trying to remember the subject under discussion.

When I first read about “dark spots” in September 2012, I had this image of spots suspended two to three inches in front of my eyes. If that is what is meant then I have no experience of this item. If by “dark spots” they refer to things visioned but not present then I did have a period after the accident during which I thought I saw creatures of some kind crawling on the floor. An attempt to remove these creatures proved fruitless and I do not think they were objectively present.

I do not have any recent memories of double vision. I did have vision problems which started after the accident but these appear to have abated although I will have focus issues if I am fatigued.

Sensitivity to light was first observed after the accident when I began having trouble with the glare of oncoming headlights. I had to continue to go into work for a month or so after the accident and this is when I first noted this effect. Since then I have had no reason to drive at night and so this effect has not been observed.

The other 4 non-observed items are referenced in the table describing improvements.

It has been a lot of work to pull together this analysis. It has at times been extremely frustrating. I continue to make silly errors such as leaving out a negative term with the result that I give the inverse meaning to a statement. I also have to hand code html and I find this to be very difficult despite the fact I was once fairly proficient. This work has been frustrating to the point I have considered completely abandoning the effort.

But there are clear benefits to persevering. One of the things that has jumped into focus is the fact that many of these items were last observed in Spring 2013, or immediately prior to that period. This date coincides with a time in April / May when I appear to have gained an increased degree of self awareness. I would not have noticed this temporal association without having undertaken this project. So there are clear benefits to me in completing it. Apologies if I am boring anyone else.