Helpful
Responses
during
Recovery
Contributed by: Pam Pearson, M.S.S.W., C.C.M.,
Program Manager, Pathways at Louisville East
A brain injury not only affects the person who has
sustained the injury but also affects family, friends
and co-workers. When the brain injury first occurs,
the family is on an emotional rollercoaster. They are
often told the person would not survive and if they do
survive they may not be able to return to a functional
lifestyle again.
The initial reaction of the family after they have learned
that a person they love has a brain injury is panic and
fear. During the initial phase of the hospitalization the
family members may be unable to eat or sleep. Shock
and denial may soon set in as the reality of what is
happening begins to manifest. Another emotion that
may occur is anger, either at the person who had the
injury or the circumstances around the injury. A family
may also be angry at the health care system who they
feel may not be providing the type care their loved one
should receive.
There may be anger at God for allowing the tragedy
to occur. Guilt is another emotion that occurs with
the loved one thinking the accident was there fault or
that they could have done something to prevent the
brain injury from occurring. There may be feelings of
isolation because the family member may feel they are
going through this alone or that family and friends do
not know how to comfort them. As the person survives
and they begin moving to the rehabilitation stage the
loved ones may begin to hope for a successful recovery.
After the person survives, the family then begins the
long journey on the road to recovery. Recovery from a
brain injury can last a lifetime. Research has shown the
most significant recovery usually occurs within the first
six to twelve months; however, recovery can occur for
years after the brain injury.
There may be a variety of deficits the person with the
brain injury may exhibit. Physical deficits may include
tremors in arms/legs, inability to walk or transfer,
inability to swallow, vision problems and fatigue.
Cognitive or problems with thinking may occur. The
person may exhibit such things as short term memory
deficits, distractibility, word finding problems and
difficulty performing simple tasks. Behavior issues
may occur such as anger, mood swings, verbal/physical
outbursts, chronic irritability, denial of deficits, and
i nappropriate behaviors.
Suggestions for Family Survival
Family members and loved ones will need to make sure
they take care of themselves during the various stages
of recovery. First of all it is important for the loved ones
to get enough sleep, eat healthy and exercise to stay
healthy. Family and friends should rotate staying at the
hospital, rehab program, or home setting.
Second, keep a journal or notebook to be able to share
the recovery process with others and with the injured
person as they emerge from coma.
Be sure to use the notebook to write down questions
you have for the health care providers. Some family
members start a web-site or blog which will be
available for everyone and will reduce the family having
to repeat information daily to a variety of persons.
Allow other loved ones to assist with this project when
they offer to help.
12 2020-2022 BIAK Resource Journal