Seeing your loved ones recover from a traumatic brain injury can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you are not sure how you should be helping. This can be especially difficult because a concussion is an invisible injury, meaning that the physical symptoms experienced cannot be seen by other people. On top of those invisible symptoms, patients also experience psychological problems such as increased anxiety, depression, changes in self-identity, and even some personality changes.
The following is a list of ways you can help your loved ones cope with their symptoms and support them during their recovery:
- Validation
One of the best things you can do to support your loved ones is to listen to their concerns, acknowledge their problems, and validate how they are feeling. In a focus group done on patients following their brain injury, they reported that one of the main features that would help them feel valued after their concussion is validation from others. Ensure that you are communicating with your loved ones to make them feel heard and understood.
- Accept and respect the changes they are experiencing
Patients who do not receive acceptance from their partners, family members, and friends express a sense of depersonalization. This is because the patient typically experiences changes in their physical abilities, their vocational functioning, and their identity making them feel like a different person. It is crucial that you support, accept, and respect those changes and help them develop a new sense of being.
- Maintain a meaningful connection with them
Social networks tend to dramatically reduce after a brain injury and it could be because the patient is avoiding social situations or because their interests have changed. However, these social connections are still highly desired and beneficial as they help the person regain a sense of normalcy. Try to recognize the source of the withdrawal and put effort into maintaining the relationship with the person. For example, if the patient is avoiding social gatherings because they are loud and bright, an easy solution is to meet somewhere quiet and perform relaxing or light activities.
- Help them gain a coherent understanding of recovery
Regardless of their recovery status, patients reported that having a coherent understanding of their injury and recovery is a critical step that aids their recovery. So what can you do to facilitate coherence? You can provide social support, reassurance, credible evidence-based information, and small steps or pathways to wellness. Some of the best things you can do are to highlight and celebrate their improvement, even the small ones, support them, and reassure them of their progress.
The path to recovery is a long and overwhelming journey for you and your loved ones which is why it is crucial to stay patient and celebrate the small achievements. Each individual has different needs, so communicate with them, ask them how they are feeling, and understand their needs from their perspective.
Written by Lea Farah
References
Kita, H., Mallory, K. D., Hickling, A., Wilson, K. E., Kroshus, E., & Reed, N. (2020). Social support during youth concussion recovery. Brain Injury, 34(6), 784-792. doi:10.1080/02699052.2020.1753243
Levack, W. M. M., Boland, P., Taylor, W. J., Siegert, R. J., Kayes, N. M., Fadyl, J. K., & McPherson, K. M. (2014). Establishing a person-centred framework of self-identity after traumatic brain injury: A grounded theory study to inform measure development. BMJ Open, 4(5), e004630-e004630. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013- 004630
Snell, D. L., Martin, R., Surgenor, L. J., Siegert, R. J., & Hay-Smith, E. J. C. (2017). What’s wrong with me? seeking a coherent understanding of recovery after mild traumatic brain injury. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39(19), 1968-1975. doi:10.1080/09638288.2016.1213895