I decide to see a doctor.

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My experience:

I don’t have a family doctor, so I try to get an appointment at a walk-in clinic. Nothing is available in the next week, unless I can travel 50 kilometres away. But that’s impossible—I don’t have anyone to watch the kids. I think about going to the ER, but then I ask myself if I’m not making a big deal out of nothing. Maybe I’m just exhausted. Weeks go by. I get a call from the youth protection case worker: I missed another meeting with her. She accuses me of lacking commitment to my children and questions my willingness to collaborate. My ex, of course, is always at every one of his meetings.

Explanation:

Intimate partner violence is associated with an increased risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms can include difficulty focusing, fatigue, memory loss, feeling like you’re slower than usual, or more irritable. These symptoms can give the impression that victims are disorganized. Access to health care for these injuries is complicated. Not all TBIs are detected by health care professionals and the medical system can be slow to respond, which delays treatment. That’s why it’s important to encourage victims who experience a head injury to see a doctor as quickly as possible. Prompt medical treatment is crucial for healing. A health care professional can provide information about the steps to take in the days following the incident. However, not having a family doctor and long wait times for an appointment can slow this process.

Resources:

Institut national d’excellence en santé et en service sociaux (INESS), Dépliant – Traumatisme craniocérébral léger

This project was funded by the Government of Quebec/Secrétariat à la condition féminine.