Readjusting After a Traumatic Brain Injury

The brain is the central processor of the human body. It governs all our actions; it processes our senses and thoughts. When a traumatic brain injury (TBI) strikes, it can damage the neural pathways, making simple actions difficult or even damaging the senses. It’s crucial victims know the support systems available that will help them readjust after a traumatic brain injury.

Rehabilitation

Brain injuries have unpredictable consequences, especially after a severe concussion. An incident that causes movement impairment for one person might cause cognitive and problem-solving difficulties for another. There are many types of rehabilitation therapy for victims of a traumatic brain injury including:

• Cognitive Therapy: This type of rehabilitation is quite broad and impacts each victim differently. Some use speech therapy to regain communication skills, while others engage in simple problem solving or behavioral goals. Cognitive therapy encompasses any “invisible” ailment after a TBI.
• Physical Therapy: This therapy encompasses any treatment that helps a TBI victim regain movement or manage pain. A brain injury can cause someone to lose control over their body even if the actual muscles are still strong. With patience and inpatient care, some victims of a traumatic brain injury can fully recover their movement abilities.
• Sensory Therapy: This rehabilitation program focuses on strengthening the senses. A brain injury may result in blurred vision, a lack of smell or taste, hearing loss or other, unexpected symptoms. Sensory therapy helps people readjust to their changed senses or can help strengthen pathways to regain some perceptive ability.

Therapy

TBI victims often experience significant mood changes after their injuries. Sometimes this comes from anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the injury. Other times it is the result of structural damage to the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that governs emotion.

In either case, anyone experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety after a traumatic brain injury may seek a therapist or psychiatrist. It’s easier to treat symptoms and return to normal living immediately after the incident, especially if the victim had an entirely different disposition before the injury.