March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. It is important that people be made aware of the dangers they put themselves in and the risks they take so that they can avoid being included in the statistics of a brain injured survivor. What can you do to help others avoid the pitfalls?
There are many ways you can do your bit to help make people aware. Brain injuries are considered a hidden disability. You can help to bring it out into the open by doing some of the following things.
Start with your workplace. Ask if you can highlight the effects and causes of traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries and concussions. Help your colleagues realize that brain injury is the number one killer and dis-abler of people under the age of forty-four. The incidence is two times greater in the male population.
Make sure that your colleagues know also that these injuries will result in impaired cognitive, physical, emotional and/or behavioural functioning. The social and economic consequences can be devastating not only to the survivor but to his/her family members and caregivers as well as to the entire community.
Perhaps put a container in your office and encourage everyone to donate their change to the local Brain Injury Association. Every penny counts as there is a serious lack of funding for brain injuries.
If you are a survivor or a family member of a survivor, tell everyone you know or meet about the consequences of such an injury and the efforts they can make to avoid suffering a tragedy such as this. What are the causes? They are automobile and motorcycle accidents, sports injuries, falls, strokes, tumours and aneurysms.
The consequences can include short-term memory difficulties, motivational problems, anger issues and many other cognitive-behavioural challenges. You can lessen the chances of getting a brain injury by avoiding high risk behavior, wearing appropriate head gear, eating a healthy diet and ensuring that you are doing everything you can to look after your personal well-being by living a healthy lifestyle.
You can also encourage your state/province and municipal governments to become involved in making people aware of brain injuries. Another idea is to write letters to the editor of your local newspaper. You can ensure that the parents of the children on your son or daughter's sports teams are aware of the seriousness of concussions as well. Until recently most people downplayed concussions.
Hopefully by making people aware of the life altering results of brain injuries, everyone will think seriously before they drink and drive, speed, have their mind on other things when they are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle; will take proper precautions when they are playing sports and if they have suffered a concussion that they will take the time to rest and let the damage repair itself before returning to the sport.
It is important for people to remember that taking risks is not smart. It can be the dumbest thing you ever did. But after the fact is too late to wish you hadn't done it. Be smart now before it's too late. Remember the old saying, 'Better safe than sorry.'
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Brain Injuries and Addictions
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The same might be said about brain injuries and addictions. Are those already suffering from addictions more likely to have brain injuries? There is a theory that this may be the case.
If this is the case, where does one begin to help keep brain injuries from happening? There is evidence to indicate that substance abuse often becomes a factor following a brain injury. But there is equal evidence to indicate that some of those who have had substance abuse problems before their injuries have contributed to them by putting themselves into high risk situations.
When does it begin? Learning disabilities, behavioral problems and emotional dysfunction are some of the childhood issues that could contribute to the risk of brain injuries later in life. These children are usually not identified early enough. Teens who abuse alcohol and drugs have been discovered to have brain abnormalities which sometimes leads to cognitive impairment. This also places them at a higher risk for brain injuries. And even more serious is that a high percentage of the prison population, males in particular, have suffered a brain injury and have also had a background of teen substance abuse. According to some experts in the field, more programs are needed to address these childhood problems before they experience more serious issues by putting themselves at risk.
Following a brain injury, many sufferers, once released from the hospital may resume their previous patterns of behavior because they have more free time, fewer activities to keep them busy and they find drinking or using drugs is a way of dealing with the emotional consequences of their injury.
Even those brain injury survivors who have not previously been substance abusers may do so because of boredom and the fact that former friends may rarely visit. Tolerance for alcohol is decreased following a head injury and even small amounts can further decrease cognitive and physical functioning. Because of memory deficits, survivors are unlikely to be aware of the extent of their substance abuse or at the very least will not be willing to admit to the extent of their use. As family members, by necessity, return to work and other activities, it is difficult to monitor so it is easy for the brain injured patient to become involved in a lifestyle of substance abuse.
And because symptoms of alcohol abuse such as an unsteady gait and slurred speech can be similar to some symptoms of brain injury, it is difficult to determine whether in fact they have a problem with substance abuse. But many types of alcohol and a drug such as marijuana especially have a distinctive odor. It may be necessary also to notice whether these symptoms are only noticeable when the patient has been on his own. Unfortunatelhy, brain injury recovery is difficult, if not impossible, if alcohol or substance abuse is a factor.
It is important to know when there is a risk for brain injury to happen and to take the necessary steps toward prevention. This is particularly true in the case of children who, because of various situations in their lives, are more at risk.
If this is the case, where does one begin to help keep brain injuries from happening? There is evidence to indicate that substance abuse often becomes a factor following a brain injury. But there is equal evidence to indicate that some of those who have had substance abuse problems before their injuries have contributed to them by putting themselves into high risk situations.
When does it begin? Learning disabilities, behavioral problems and emotional dysfunction are some of the childhood issues that could contribute to the risk of brain injuries later in life. These children are usually not identified early enough. Teens who abuse alcohol and drugs have been discovered to have brain abnormalities which sometimes leads to cognitive impairment. This also places them at a higher risk for brain injuries. And even more serious is that a high percentage of the prison population, males in particular, have suffered a brain injury and have also had a background of teen substance abuse. According to some experts in the field, more programs are needed to address these childhood problems before they experience more serious issues by putting themselves at risk.
Following a brain injury, many sufferers, once released from the hospital may resume their previous patterns of behavior because they have more free time, fewer activities to keep them busy and they find drinking or using drugs is a way of dealing with the emotional consequences of their injury.
Even those brain injury survivors who have not previously been substance abusers may do so because of boredom and the fact that former friends may rarely visit. Tolerance for alcohol is decreased following a head injury and even small amounts can further decrease cognitive and physical functioning. Because of memory deficits, survivors are unlikely to be aware of the extent of their substance abuse or at the very least will not be willing to admit to the extent of their use. As family members, by necessity, return to work and other activities, it is difficult to monitor so it is easy for the brain injured patient to become involved in a lifestyle of substance abuse.
And because symptoms of alcohol abuse such as an unsteady gait and slurred speech can be similar to some symptoms of brain injury, it is difficult to determine whether in fact they have a problem with substance abuse. But many types of alcohol and a drug such as marijuana especially have a distinctive odor. It may be necessary also to notice whether these symptoms are only noticeable when the patient has been on his own. Unfortunatelhy, brain injury recovery is difficult, if not impossible, if alcohol or substance abuse is a factor.
It is important to know when there is a risk for brain injury to happen and to take the necessary steps toward prevention. This is particularly true in the case of children who, because of various situations in their lives, are more at risk.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) often follows a Traumatic Brain Injury. It is an anxiety disorder triggered by stress such as physical or sexual assault, combat or the witnessing or involvement in a traumatic event. Veterans returning home from war often experience PTSD.
This disorder is diagnosed in almost thirty percent of patients suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury. It is important for clinicians to get as much detailed history of the injury as possible to properly determine the treatment process for PTSD. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult to determine because the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can overlap.
Some of the symptoms of this disorder are flashbacks, repeated upsetting memories or nightmares, emotional numbing with feelings of detachment, the tendency to block out important aspects of the trauma, lack of interest in normal activities and feelings that they have no future. They may also have difficulties with concentration, outbursts of anger, difficulties sleeping, dizziness, rapid heart beats and headaches.
Those suffering from brain injuries as well as PTSD may also have difficulties with substance abuse which can complicate recovery. Other problems may include feelings of lack of control, difficulties with positive emotions, amnesia of the event, reduced cognitive abilities, sleeping disturbances, irritability, concentration deficits and almost certainly memory challenges. Many may also have feelings of survivor's guilt. For those who had an extended period of unconsciousness following a brain injury, it is believed there is less likelihood of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder occurring. Psychological, physical, genetic and social factors are usually involved when there has been both a Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD.
It is important to get early diagnosis. Treatments by qualified personnel to help reduce some of these symptoms include having the sufferer attempt to remember the traumatic event and express their feelings about it. Joining a support group will also be important and having a strong support system of family and friends. If depression or other related medical conditions are a factor, it will be necessary to deal with these before treatment for PTSD can be begun. It will also be important to overcome alcohol or substance abuse before any treatment can be successful.
Other treatments include talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, exposure therapy and/or medication. Treatment can require from three to six months or possibly longer.
It is important for both Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD sufferers to ensure that early diagnosis and treatment is established for the best chances of a successful recovery.
This disorder is diagnosed in almost thirty percent of patients suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury. It is important for clinicians to get as much detailed history of the injury as possible to properly determine the treatment process for PTSD. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult to determine because the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can overlap.
Some of the symptoms of this disorder are flashbacks, repeated upsetting memories or nightmares, emotional numbing with feelings of detachment, the tendency to block out important aspects of the trauma, lack of interest in normal activities and feelings that they have no future. They may also have difficulties with concentration, outbursts of anger, difficulties sleeping, dizziness, rapid heart beats and headaches.
Those suffering from brain injuries as well as PTSD may also have difficulties with substance abuse which can complicate recovery. Other problems may include feelings of lack of control, difficulties with positive emotions, amnesia of the event, reduced cognitive abilities, sleeping disturbances, irritability, concentration deficits and almost certainly memory challenges. Many may also have feelings of survivor's guilt. For those who had an extended period of unconsciousness following a brain injury, it is believed there is less likelihood of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder occurring. Psychological, physical, genetic and social factors are usually involved when there has been both a Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD.
It is important to get early diagnosis. Treatments by qualified personnel to help reduce some of these symptoms include having the sufferer attempt to remember the traumatic event and express their feelings about it. Joining a support group will also be important and having a strong support system of family and friends. If depression or other related medical conditions are a factor, it will be necessary to deal with these before treatment for PTSD can be begun. It will also be important to overcome alcohol or substance abuse before any treatment can be successful.
Other treatments include talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, exposure therapy and/or medication. Treatment can require from three to six months or possibly longer.
It is important for both Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD sufferers to ensure that early diagnosis and treatment is established for the best chances of a successful recovery.
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