Brain Injuries and Attitude

For most of us, attitude is one hundred percent within our control. It is our choice whether or not to be in a good or a bad mood. But for those who are survivors of a brain injury, the choice has become much more difficult.

The majority of people prefer to be with someone who has a good attitude rather than with someone who grumbles constantly about little things; who looks for problems instead of accepting the challenges; who becomes depressed easily, or who rarely smiles. Those with poor attitudes usually go through life reacting to situations and problems instead of taking control of their lives.

Unfortunately, for those with brain injuries, the effort required to have a good attitude is particularly challenging. Because they are often left with the deficit of lack of motivation and lack of initiative, mustering up the energy required to work at it may prove to be more difficult for them than for others.

For those wishing to have a better attitude in order to assist themselves with the difficulties of recovering from a brain injury, it will be necessary for them to remember that it is important to look for the good in every situation instead of only the negative; to be willing to face any challenge; to believe that with persistence and perseverance most problems can be overcome; to have an optimistic outlook; and to see humour in most situations. While striving towards having an optimistic outlook, and therefore a good attitude, they will be working towards making themselves happier and as a result will become more contented and positive.

Happiness and good attitude will not only be important for themselves but will be valued by those who surround them. With the time and effort of working towards having a good attitude, it will eventually become a choice to live happily and to enjoy the important things in life such as family, friends and health.

For brain injury survivors, those who are positive and optimistic are better able to motivate themselves to accept the challenges facing them. And those with good attitudes are generally positive people who make things happen instead of blaming others because nothing has happened. As with most things in life, nothing happens unless we make it happen.