Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious injury that can have a lasting impact on the patient and their loved ones. Coping with a traumatic brain injury can be made easier by trying to maintain a positive outlook and being committed to rehabilitation. Friends, family, and support groups are important resources to helping a traumatic brain injured individual cope with the challenges of their injury.
Successfully coping with the injury means the patient and his/her family must know what to expect in recovery and how to adjust at home to accommodate the patient. Residual effects following a traumatic brain injury are common, particularly among moderate to severe head injury victims. In some cases, a traumatic brain injured individual might make a full recovery while other patients may experience life-long effects. Each person’s brain is unique and responds to injury differently.
Injury Stabilization – Transition to Rehabilitation
Once the TBI patient is medically stabilized and conscious, doctors may begin rehabilitation planning. The patient will soon transition to a period of inpatient rehabilitation. It is important for friends and family to understand the recovering patient’s behavior at this time – and not to become frightened or frustrated by it.
A patient’s ability to pay attention is often impaired, resulting in agitation, nervousness, restlessness or frustration. Sleeping patterns can be disrupted. A patient may overreact to too much stimulation or could become physically aggressive. Inconsistent moods and behavior are also common. This stage can be difficult for family members to cope with since the person behaves so uncharacteristically, but it is important to remember that this is a normal stage in the brain’s healing process and it will take time for the brain-injured person to settle back into himself/herself.
Rehabilitation and Ongoing Therapy
Mid and late term stages of recovery may reveal an increase in brain and physical functions. The most rapid pace of improvement typically occurs in the first six months after the initial injury. Steady improvement is commonly prevalent. This progression often encourages patients and families as daily physical therapy exercises become easier for the patient.
Between 6 months and two years, recovery progress may slow and become intermittent. Patients and caregivers should understand that rapid recovery is commonly seen in the first 6 months, followed by a potential plateau period or even some regression. Two steps forward may be met with one step back. It is crucial to remember that this wavering is a normal, natural part of long-term recovery. Patients and family members must remain positive through any discouraging times, as they are only temporary and long-term gains can still be made if rehabilitation efforts continue. Persistence is the best way to cope and make it through these stages.
Adaptive Equipment and Changes at Home
A patient recovering from severe TBI may be living with permanent impairments. At some point between 3 and 12 months, the patient will be ready to return home. Family members should talk with rehabilitation center representatives to help prepare the home for a patient still working with limited abilities. A power chair may be a necessary part of life. A home may need to be fitted with wheelchair ramps, special hand grips, and bathroom modifications designed to aid the TBI patient.
The TBI patient may also still be able to operate a motor vehicle, but adaptive controls (such as hand controls) may need to be installed. It is important that a patient continue on with scheduled physical therapy sessions until they reach a comfortable range of capability. Attending support groups and counseling sessions can be an important source of support for people living with a brain injury and should continue indefinitely.
References:
Web MD – https://www.webmd.com/brain/features/traumatic-brain-injury-rehabilitation
