I suffered silently, or out loud to my family, all that my mind has experienced since injuring my brain: anxiety, depression, fatigue, loss of confidence and more. Whether it’s a stroke, like mine was, or a traumatic brain injury (TBI), acquired brain injury (ABI), or lots more, you have had a time of mourning for you, briefly or longer, whether you realize it or not.
When specific areas of the brain are injured, the “gas pedal” and “stop!” of your mind may stop working as accurately as it once was. With a brain injury, the mechanics of the body are physically changed. A physical injury is almost always a mental health injury as well, but the brain is the organ that processes every thought, emotion, memory, and movement.Â
There exists a psychological fee, like the old self is no longer there, feeling loss in your former abilities, even your career. You may have lost friends because people tend to continue in the activities you used to share together, all of which can lead to depression for you. The urge to do daily tasks may turn against you, with a lack of motivation, and depression sets in.
You may have emotional lability, those instant, rapid mood swings that take you to opposite poles on the behavior spectrum, like happy to sad in an instant, for example. It’s also possible for the dreaded anxiety which often arises from getting hurt again. You might have pseudobulbar affect (PBA) where sudden, uncontrollable laughing or crying that doesn’t match your actual mood.Â
The brain is notably adaptable, and has the skill to rewire itself, known as neuroplasticity, that is, retraining the brain to handle the weaker side, learning your limits, and possibly using low-dose medication.
The relationship between the mental health and brain damage are complicated, like mood management, cognitive function, and emotional processing. To lighten the load, be aware of family and friends asking you as well as the medical team about:
- depression
- anxiety disorders
- panic
- increased irritability and anger that feels out of your character
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- social isolation
- difficulty concentrating
- personality changes
- fatigue
- sleep issues
Usually, two or more of the list above will become prevalent, as mine were, right away after your event.Â
The most productive care of brain injury usually involves a multidisciplinary team including neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and rehabilitation therapists. Treatment often combines medication and adapted psychotherapy approaches, cognitive rehabilitation, support groups specifically for brain injury survivors, and managing physical well-being, sleep issues, and cultural factors.
Most recoveries can take much longer despite people’s expectations. Family members, friends, and caregivers also need support as well because they’re questioning about the recovery methodologies, too. Remember, they care about YOU.
After the event, like a stroke or TBI, the brain has to rewire itself which causes slower processing, leading to frustration, feeling less sharp than before, or trouble finding words or remembering names. The most important is grief for the former version of you. Unfortunately, many of you will come to realize that months or even years later, when the most trusted family and friends have given up on you. I sincerely hope they haven’t.
