Let me preference this blog by explaining why I write blogs such as these. Many years ago one of my children was diagnosed with a disability. We received the diagnosis but nothing else. No information about what it meant, where to go for help, etc. I felt as a mother as if I’d been thrown into the deep end of a swimming pool and I didn’t know how to swim. Eventually I figured things out.
I don’t want you to be that position. I want you to have the information you need. For as I discoverd the right information can make all the difference. It’s that powerful and enpowering for you to have.
What Is Acquired Brain Injury?
Acquired brain injury (ABI) is any injury to the brain that has occurred after birth during a person’s lifetime. It can happen to anyone. But young people between the age of 15 to 29 are three times more likely to suffer acquired brain injury than any other age group.
The Causes Of ABI
An acquired brain injury can come from a variety of different sources. These may include:
- Impact to the head – traumatic brain injury. Such as in a traffic or workplace accident, a fall, an assault – physical violence, domestic violence or a sports injury or concussion injury.
- Stroke, brain hemorrhage or brain surgery.
- A viral infection occurring in the brain e.g. encephalitis.
- Disease: Forms of dementia e.g Alzheimer’s disease. Or cancer, Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
- Lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia): perhaps caused by strangulation, choking, or drowning, etc.
- Abuse of illegal drugs.
- Poisoning or exposure to toxic substances.
Affects Of ABI
For many people with acquired brain injury (ABI) they make a good physical recovery. The affects can range from mild to profound and each person’s ABI is different.
Obvious changes may happen in relation to the way a person affected speaks, feels, talks, plans, processes information, problem solves and relates to others. But some changes can occur which may be only obvious to family and friends. This why ABI is called a hidden disability.
It should also be noted that ABI doesn’t just happen to the person. But to the family as a whole and therefore family members need support also.
Sometimes professionals like to distinguish between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and acquired brain injury (ABI) because of the different causes. (For the purpose of this blog I will use ABI to describe both.)
Traumatic brain injury is caused by an external force that forces the brain to move inside the skull causing brain damage. While acquired brain injury occurs due to internal forces such as tumour, stroke, etc. Symptoms can vary so it is imprtant to familiarize your self with them if you or a loved one as ABI.
Symptoms of ABI/TBI
These can vary depending upon the type and level of injury. But may include all or some of the following:
Cognitive symptoms of brain damage include:
- Difficulties with processing information, expressing thoughts, understanding others.
- Shortened attention span.
- Inability to understand abstract concepts.
- Impaired decision-making ability.
- Memory loss.
- Confusion.
- Problems with planning and or organization.
Perceptual symptoms include:
- Change or loss of vision, hearing, or sense of touch.
- Spatial disorientation.
- Inability to sense time.
- Disorders of smell and taste.
- Balance issues.
- Heightened sensitivity to pain.
Physical symptoms include:
- Persistent headaches.
- Extreme mental and/or physical fatigue.
- Paralysis.
- Loss of balance or poor balance.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Weakness of the muscles.
- Tremors.
- Seizures or fits.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Sleep disorders.
- Slurred speech.
- Loss of consciousness.
Behavioural/emotional symptoms include:
- Irritability, impatience, feeling on edge.
- Reduced tolerance for stress.
- Flattened or heightened emotions or reactions.
- Denial of disability.
- Increased aggressiveness.
- Changes in personality.
- Mood swings.
You can see from the list of symptoms how ABI could be easily misunderstood by the general public. This may lead to discrimination of the disabled person. Remember ABI is a disability and as such is covered by all the relevant legislation.
Treatment For Acquired Brain Injury
Each individual and their ABI is different. So an individualized treatment plan is required. These treatment plans will depend upon the cause. But also the problems the individual is facing as a result of the ABI.
A range of tests including CT scans, x-rays and possible surgery will be needed before a diagnosis and treatment plan is put in place. Alongside this the person will need rehabilitation support that will focus on the areas affecting the person.
In Ireland an individual is assessed and an Individual Rehabilitation Plan (IRP) is put in place. This is to give the person with ABI a say in how they are treated and to get involved in decisions that affect their lives.
A team is put together made up of the person with ABI, their partner/carer, medical specialists, local services manager, case manager and rehabilitation assistant or key worker. The plan allows meaningful goals to be set and how support will be put into place to help the individual with ABI achieve them. Plans are regularly reviewed to allow the individual set new goals.
Rehabilitation.
Most people with ABI will benefit from rehabilitation that might include the following:
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Psychological Therapy
Consequences Of Living With ABI
Consequences can be far reaching for the individual and their family. The person, and their family/friends, can find it very difficult to cope. Rehabilitation can be hard going on everyone. As are the other costs involved.
Families may have lost an income. Which can snowball out to affect their home and way of life. Emotional and practical adjustments to changing circumstances, interruptions to family life and changing roles within the family can often lead to depression, stress and anxiety.
It is important to reach out for practical support to family or friends for help with children, lifts to hospitals appointments. etc. You can also contact Citizen advice Ireland for information and FLAC (Ireland) legal advisers and to MABS Ireland (or a similar organization where you live) if needed. as they can speak to your mortgage provider on your behalf.
It is important that you and your family have good information on the affects of ABI. Plus appreciate the difficulties that might occur. Along with how slow the process of recovery might be. I’ve list two organizations below in Ireland where you can get help and support).
Family Support.
As a carer, family member or friend you need to be patient with the person. You also need to:
- Reduce your stress.
- Get a buddy/support system going to try new things to help the person with ABI.
- Make sure you are included in the IRP and know who to contact for help with this or if things go wrong.
- People with ABI benefit from having a good regular routine. This will include a regular sleep pattern and meals. They are also better when they are at their freshest so take this into account when making plans.
- Focus on the present only. This is so important for reducing everyone’s stress.
- Focus on the individuals’ strengths and achievements.
- Get counseling for your self to help you adjust and cope with ongoing issues.
- Your children will also need support and counseling to help them adjust and come to terms with what has happened.
- Ask for help and support. You will need it so please take it and let go of the guilt.
- Take time for yourself, your self-care and other family members and friends too. This will help you feel you are not so alone and reduce your stress.
Headway have very detailed information that will help you and your loved one here.
Work With Me.
Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.
Apologies for abrupt ending on video
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