Roller Coaster Ride With Brain Injury

In the beginning, coping with brain injury is a roller coaster ride. Although a tragedy for the injured person, it is an equal tragedy for the family.

Because of the lack of information available, the family member closest to the injured person will likely feel very much alone. When my partner had a very serious motorcycle accident, we were fortunate in that we were surrounded by a huge family support system. As one who has gone through this difficult experience, I would highly recommend enlisting the help of a support group (if there is no strong family support) for assistance with the monumental changes you will be facing in your life as well as in the life of your loved one.

There will be difficulties in adjusting to these changes as well as difficulties in getting the necessary answers to questions. As the 'healthy' person, there will be many crucial things that are necessary to do. You must 'ask the right questions', 'take control of the situation', 'be proactive', 'be your own advocate for your injured family member', and 'realize the necessity of having support'. These will be vital when battling cognitive and behavioral problems, frustration and anger management difficulties, confusion and short-term memory loss as well as other brain injury impairments.

It will often be two steps forward and one step back and although this is discouraging, that is initially what happens. It will be important not to take things personally when your brain injured loved one becomes angry or verbally abusive. It will also be necessary to set boundaries for yourself. It is equally important not to feel guilty if you wish time for yourself or if you occasionally feel frustrated; your life has changed too.

I was not aware that someone suffering from a brain injury could change so drastically; that he couldn't remember who had visited a few minutes after that person had left, and that I would be treated like someone he hated most in the world. I did not know this is all very typical behavior by those who are suffering from a brain injury.

There will be adaptations and adjustments that will be necessary to make and there will be many 'bumps in the road' but things do eventually get better.