Aaron – Doing the Work

 

My name is Aaron and I’m 33 years old. I’m a native Kentuckian, I graduated from high school, and I went to college for five semesters. I’m going to start with the good stuff. Like how Bridgehaven has helped me.

 

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy is like no other treatment modality. Let me explain what CET is by first explaining what it is not.

 

When somebody has mental illness, and goes to the doctor, two things are often recommended: medication or talk therapy. CET has no risks or side effects, which the others can have. As a matter of fact, I believe CET is SO safe and effective that it will become the gold standard in treating mental illness.

 

CET breaks down your brain and rebuilds it, much like exercise. Or joining the Marines, like my grandpa! Breaks you down, builds you up. Your brain actually feels physically sore, a sensation that is veeeery interesting. After several hours of CET on Thursdays, I used to go home and go straight to bed, exhausted.

 

The commitment is for a year. Our trainers emphasize things like not speaking without raising your hand, and being supportive without being judgmental. We would exercise our brains on the computer before class, then learn a lesson. My worker described it as “watching the gears turn in our heads.” Homework came next. Then I’d talk to my therapist about how the results applied to my life. At the next group, we got feedback from the other members. It was a complete process.

 

My life has been forever changed by Bridgehaven and Cognitive Enhancement Therapy. CET changed my thinking, my behavior, and my communication skills. It’s also increased my motivation and tolerance, which is called mental flexibility.

 

Bridgehaven has taught me what emotional safety means. It’s been an absolute leader in advocacy. Bridgehaven has combated stigma, and helped protect me from it.

 

This is exactly the kind of thing I sought when I came here in the first place. In 2003, a ’76 Buick came into my life and my body and my head. I was ONLY 19.

 

I was hit from behind. At the time, I didn’t know the damage my brain had sustained. I lost everything within six months:  my job, my insurance, my school… my fraternity, my home, my girlfriend …and most critically, my health.

 

Prior to the accident, I had been diagnosed with narcolepsy, which causes excessive daytime sleepiness, and cataplexy, which is physical body paralysis triggered by strong emotion. I went a long time without correct diagnosis of a Traumatic Brain Injury.

 

Having experienced eight years of living hell, my attorney finally won my disability, giving me insurance for the first time since the wreck.  Up until then, I hadn’t been able to see doctors regularly nor receive the appropriate medication. I DID get a referral to Frasier Neuro Rehab, where we finally made the connection between the accident and my pain, grief, and confusion, the last of which was probably the worst.

 

There’s an additional level of pain to lose everything and have no idea why. I was told I was crazy or lazy. Knowing I had a TBI, I could find the right therapy to FIX it.

 

Frasier treated me on and off for two years, until a wise case manager took me to BRIDGEhaven. When I arrived here, I took every class I could. I’m an overachiever, so I worked as hard as possible, but I was still struggling. I had a lot of anger outbursts and lack of motivation, which were symptomatic of the TBI, but manifested as emotional issues. They’re very different, and but have a lot of overlap. CET helped me differentiate between the two.

 

Bridgehaven has inspired me to stand up for the vulnerable, no matter what their illness. It’s been a cultural eye opener for me. I want other members to gain what I have gained. The key to it all is DOING THE WORK. People who are untreated for mental illness have tried a lot of things that DO NOT work. Bridgehaven and CET DO work, and whatever you’re going through emotionally, this place and this therapy can be an answer.