lucy wightman

It takes watchful informed family members, friends, and observers to notice behavioral changes in a survivor and understand that the changes began after the carbon monoxide poisoning and are likely connected to it. These may well be behaviors that the survivor themself is unable to notice or admit to.

Unfortunately, if a survivor behaves in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable way, it is [much] more common for family, friends, and coworkers to feel disappointed, then as additional things happen feel annoyed, escalating to anger, and finally if it continues, backing away from the relationship.

Seldom do those close to a survivor understand that it is the ongoing effects from carbon monoxide poisoning that continue to impact the survivors behavior, functioning, and their relationship.

Things like missed appointments, forgotten special occasions, incomplete work, seemingly inappropriate behavior, mood instability, selfish/impulsive behavior, and unfamiliar reactions may baffle, frustrate, and annoy those around the survivor.

It may take time for those close to the survivor to understand that although the survivor may look “normal”, sound “normal”, and appear “normal”, they have in fact changed and are behaving [somewhat] differently. Many may never recognize the reason for the change.