1. Hydrocephalus It’s personal and social affects on the individual

2. I suffer from a condition called hydrocephalus which means I have to have a what is called a ‘shunt’ inserted into my head to drain fluid from my brain. I suffer from a condition called hydrocephalus which means I have to have a what is called a ‘shunt’ inserted into my head to drain fluid from my brain.

3. I have lived with this condition for many years and can personally speak from experience about how this condition has affected my life on a personal and social level. I have lived with this condition for many years and can personally speak from experience about how this condition has affected my life on a personal and social level.

4. On a personal level, some of the difficulties I have are related to co-ordination, especially using my hands. I have difficulty holding things. I sometimes struggle with balance especially when I’m tired and stressed. On a personal level, some of the difficulties I have are related to co-ordination, especially using my hands. I have difficulty holding things. I sometimes struggle with balance especially when I’m tired and stressed.

5. I get headaches and become tired. I trip over my feet and can hurt myself. My memory is also affected. I have difficulty in taking in too much information. I forget things and sometimes miss-understand instructions. I get headaches and become tired. I trip over my feet and can hurt myself. My memory is also affected. I have difficulty in taking in too much information. I forget things and sometimes miss-understand instructions.

6. For instance, I can handle something one day and the next day can’t do it. As a consequence of these problems I am scared of doing new things in case they go wrong. For instance, I can handle something one day and the next day can’t do it. As a consequence of these problems I am scared of doing new things in case they go wrong.

7. On a social level, making friends and keeping up relationships is difficult. I panic if by myself for long periods of time. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable with eye contact within groups of people. My eyes wander and feel I get funny looks from people On a social level, making friends and keeping up relationships is difficult. I panic if by myself for long periods of time. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable with eye contact within groups of people. My eyes wander and feel I get funny looks from people

8. I can sometimes blow things out of proportion. I sometimes get panic attacks night when no one is around. I have to deal with this on my own. This happens when I’m worried about something or a situation I can’t resolve. I can sometimes blow things out of proportion. I sometimes get panic attacks night when no one is around. I have to deal with this on my own. This happens when I’m worried about something or a situation I can’t resolve.

9. The above problems result in me having support to do the shopping and budgeting with me as I get stressed and anxious about what I have to do to live a normal life. Even putting together a shopping list is a strain. Arranging holidays and going out is always a worry and I need support with this. The above problems result in me having support to do the shopping and budgeting with me as I get stressed and anxious about what I have to do to live a normal life. Even putting together a shopping list is a strain. Arranging holidays and going out is always a worry and I need support with this.

10. I hope by writing this I can make other people aware of the problems of this condition. I hope by writing this I can make other people aware of the problems of this condition.