When determining that someone is suffering from memory loss, it is necessary to know what the symptoms are and to discover the cause. The next important thing to know is how to prevent memory loss and to decide on the best avenue to take to slow down the symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of memory loss are:
- an inability to recall events over a short period of time;
- forgetting names, dates and appointments;
- getting lost even in a familiar neighbourhood;
- having difficulty comprehending and completing tasks previously familiar with;
- there may be some confusion relating to memory;
- will worsen as a person becomes tired.
Some of the possible causes of memory loss are:
- the aging process (in the normal aging process, a person will still continue to function normally);
- traumatic brain injuries or brain damage caused from strokes;
- Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, Lyme disease and HIV/AIDS;
- early dimentia or Alzheimers;
- some drugs such as statins, chemotherapy, or vitamin deficiencies;
- certain types of seizures;
- depression;
- alcohol abuse.
How someone suffering from memory loss can help themselves:
- it is important to spend time with people to help keep mind active;
- read the newspaper and keep up with current events;
- try to learn a new skill;
- it is necessary to get lots of rest;
- it is important to have a nutritional diet;
- focus on things that are important to remember;
- avoid drinking alcohol;
- make use of calendars, notes and to-do lists for appointments, etc.
Some of the ways to help those who are suffering from memory loss are:
- take sufferer for a complete physical examination to determine the reason for the memory loss so that proper treatment can be given depending on the cause;
- follow-up on what they are doing to ensure that they are helping themselves in the best way possible;
- give reminders regarding such things as diet, when necessary;
- make sure that the family member is not isolated, help them to stay involved;
be there to offer encouragement and support;
- take for regular medical check-ups.
Because memory loss is serious for both the person who is experiencing it and for family members, encourage everyone close to the family member who is having difficulty, to lend their assistance when they think help may be needed.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
personality Changes - Lack of Motivation Following a Brain Injury
Lack of motivation is a direct result of injury to the frontal lobe and can create a change in a person's personality. This deficit can lead to social isolation for the brain injured survivor as they are usually not interested in recreational activities.
It is often the case that the injured person is not even interested in activities that had been enjoyed previously. They may have no interest in events and complain that there is nothing to do. It is more that there is nothing they are interested in doing or have the energy to pursue because fatigue is also part of the personality changes. As a result they may prefer to sit on the couch all day.
Motivation requires persistence and determination in order to be able to follow through on something. It requires self-confidence and a degree of self-esteem to realize their potential for accomplishment. And it requires effort, even if something is started, to be able to sustain the activity through to completion.
The following are ways to assist someone who lacks motivation:
- make a list of activities they may be interested in doing;
- help them initiate an activity;
- encourage their continued effort;
- assist them, if necessary;
- check off the activity when it has been completed to support their feeling of accomplishment.
Sometimes if something can be found that really interests them, it will help towards motivation. Perhaps suggest a potentially interesting activity that may appeal to them; borrow a book on various hobbies from the library or have someone talk to them that has a particularly creative hobby which may be of some interest for them. Cognitive therapy can also help but it is difficult to get and is rarely covered under medical plans.
Lack of motivation or interest can also be a result of depression which is common following a brain injury. This in turn leads to feeling tired all of the time; a general feeling of fatigue, no energy and a complete unwillingness to do anything.
If depression is suspected, encourage a visit to the doctor to be properly assessed. There are medications which can help. Depression can be very serious if not properly treated. If lack of motivation is a result of depression, once the depression is treated then motivation could cease to be a problem.
Personality changes with lack of motivation being the root can cause problems in relationships and families. For those who are assisting anyone with this problem, continue to encourage and support as best as possible.
It is often the case that the injured person is not even interested in activities that had been enjoyed previously. They may have no interest in events and complain that there is nothing to do. It is more that there is nothing they are interested in doing or have the energy to pursue because fatigue is also part of the personality changes. As a result they may prefer to sit on the couch all day.
Motivation requires persistence and determination in order to be able to follow through on something. It requires self-confidence and a degree of self-esteem to realize their potential for accomplishment. And it requires effort, even if something is started, to be able to sustain the activity through to completion.
The following are ways to assist someone who lacks motivation:
- make a list of activities they may be interested in doing;
- help them initiate an activity;
- encourage their continued effort;
- assist them, if necessary;
- check off the activity when it has been completed to support their feeling of accomplishment.
Sometimes if something can be found that really interests them, it will help towards motivation. Perhaps suggest a potentially interesting activity that may appeal to them; borrow a book on various hobbies from the library or have someone talk to them that has a particularly creative hobby which may be of some interest for them. Cognitive therapy can also help but it is difficult to get and is rarely covered under medical plans.
Lack of motivation or interest can also be a result of depression which is common following a brain injury. This in turn leads to feeling tired all of the time; a general feeling of fatigue, no energy and a complete unwillingness to do anything.
If depression is suspected, encourage a visit to the doctor to be properly assessed. There are medications which can help. Depression can be very serious if not properly treated. If lack of motivation is a result of depression, once the depression is treated then motivation could cease to be a problem.
Personality changes with lack of motivation being the root can cause problems in relationships and families. For those who are assisting anyone with this problem, continue to encourage and support as best as possible.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Personality Changes - Communication Difficulties Following a Brain Injury
There are many deficits following a brain injury that can cause personality changes. One of these problematic changes is in how a person communicates with others. Communication, for many reasons, often becomes difficult particularly in group conversations.
Pragmatic communication impairment causes problems in relationship as well as in work environments. Because of this, if severe, it will determine their success in employment situations and possibly within their social networks. With lack of communication skills often these social networks will gradually fade into the background.
A high percentage of those with brain injuries have communication difficulties. They very often have problems initiating conversation or in continuing with one. They will disassociate and be unable to interact with others either verbally or non-verbally, even if they know the people well. These difficulties seem to be enhanced when in large groups.
Over time their communication skills can either increase or decrease depending on the positive or negative results they get from their efforts.
When in conversation with others, it is common that they will rarely ask questions. The reason for this may be that in many cases, those who have suffered from a brain injury will tend to be self-centered and as a result, they have little interest in what someone else is saying. Another reason is they often have memory problems so may hesitate to ask because they don't remember if they've already been told before.
Some of the reasons for communication difficulties are:
- too much background noise can be confusing;
- it can be difficult to concentrate if the person is tired or anxious;
- they may have difficulty explaining their thoughts;
- pain can make communication more difficult because it may limit concentration;
- moods and fatigue can affect communication;
- long sentences can sound confusing as can complex conversations;
- alcohol can increase communication problems;
- over-stimulation;
- large groups;
- inability to take cues from others when in conversations;
- inattentiveness to conversation and/or lack of interest.
Ways of helping someone who is having difficulty with communication:
- keep sentences short;
- do not interrupt;
- be positive;
- have person avoid, when possible, large groups;
- when in groups encourage topics that the brain injured person may feel comfortable discussing;
- discourage, if possible, the use of alcohol;
- give emotional support.
Because of communication difficulties, especially in groups, many of those who have suffered from a brain injury tend to feel lonely. Over time it may be one of the most difficult deficits they will have to deal with.
Pragmatic communication impairment causes problems in relationship as well as in work environments. Because of this, if severe, it will determine their success in employment situations and possibly within their social networks. With lack of communication skills often these social networks will gradually fade into the background.
A high percentage of those with brain injuries have communication difficulties. They very often have problems initiating conversation or in continuing with one. They will disassociate and be unable to interact with others either verbally or non-verbally, even if they know the people well. These difficulties seem to be enhanced when in large groups.
Over time their communication skills can either increase or decrease depending on the positive or negative results they get from their efforts.
When in conversation with others, it is common that they will rarely ask questions. The reason for this may be that in many cases, those who have suffered from a brain injury will tend to be self-centered and as a result, they have little interest in what someone else is saying. Another reason is they often have memory problems so may hesitate to ask because they don't remember if they've already been told before.
Some of the reasons for communication difficulties are:
- too much background noise can be confusing;
- it can be difficult to concentrate if the person is tired or anxious;
- they may have difficulty explaining their thoughts;
- pain can make communication more difficult because it may limit concentration;
- moods and fatigue can affect communication;
- long sentences can sound confusing as can complex conversations;
- alcohol can increase communication problems;
- over-stimulation;
- large groups;
- inability to take cues from others when in conversations;
- inattentiveness to conversation and/or lack of interest.
Ways of helping someone who is having difficulty with communication:
- keep sentences short;
- do not interrupt;
- be positive;
- have person avoid, when possible, large groups;
- when in groups encourage topics that the brain injured person may feel comfortable discussing;
- discourage, if possible, the use of alcohol;
- give emotional support.
Because of communication difficulties, especially in groups, many of those who have suffered from a brain injury tend to feel lonely. Over time it may be one of the most difficult deficits they will have to deal with.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
