Every year, about 2.5 million people will suffer a traumatic brain injury. Out of those, 80,000 develop life-long disabilities.
If you know someone with a TBI, then you’re likely wondering how they’ll recover.
Brain injury recovery isn’t something that happens overnight. It will take time and persistence to re-learn the skills needed to be independent again.
Here are the three main phases of treatment for brain injuries.
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Evaluating the Extent of the Injury
Head injuries are a serious matter you need to take great care dealing with them medically as well as legally. Legal as in, if you get injured at the negligence of a service provider or your workplace. You should get legal help from a new jersey work injury lawyer and get the claim money that you deserve. Besides legal matters, it is crucial to seek out medical care after you hit your head, even if you don’t think it’s severe. If you got knocked out, then you suffered a mild TBI, but the blow doesn’t even need to be that severe. If you have ever seen or heard someone say that they “saw stars” or “got knocked loopy” after a blow to the head, it is something that needs to be checked by a medical professional, as it can lead to significant implications later on if you don’t get help. In the instance there is bleeding, you should administer first aid using a Stop the Bleed kit or at least put pressure on the wound until you can find an urgent care clinic.
When you visit your doctor, they’ll analyze what happened and your injury. Here’s what to expect:
- Brain scans
- An exam to test motor and sensory skills
- Hearing tests
- Speech analysis
- Coordination tests
- Monitoring changes in mood or behavior
- An acute concussion evaluation
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Medical Intervention: Surgery and Medications
If the injury is severe, then you’ll likely need medical intervention. Your doctor may recommend immediate surgery. Surgery can assist with repairing some damage, but it’s not a “cure” for a TBI.
Undergoing surgery will mean the individual can expect an extensive recovery period, and in some cases, even Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment. This becomes a necessity when the trauma ends up numbing the peripheral nerves of the body of the injured. The doctors make use of need-specific treatments in order to help recover the patient.
There are, however, certain medications as well that can help after a TBI, too. Here are some prescriptions that are common after a brain injury diagnosis:
- Anti-convulsant medicine
- Anti-psychotic prescriptions
- Pain management medication
- Anti-depressants
- Memory and cognition drugs
- Motor system prescriptions
Depending on the seriousness of the injury, your doctor may prescribe several medications. It’s not an ideal situation, but these prescriptions can help your loved one cope.
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Rehabilitation and Rest
Rehabilitation and counseling are often recommended treatment options after a TBI. Both options will help your loved one re-learn motor and social skills.
Even after medical intervention or rehabilitation, your loved one still needs rest. The old adage that time heals all wounds applies here.
Your loved one may struggle to control their emotions. Consider anger and conflict counseling if that’s the case. Their personality was likely affected by their brain injury, but they can learn to cope.
Your loved one likely won’t be able to return to work right away. They may need increased help with daily tasks. Give them the space and support they need during this difficult time.
Making Your Loved One’s Brain Injury Recovery Plan
If your loved one is going through brain injury recovery, then it’s important to be patient with them. It takes a long time for individuals to recover, and some never do. Therefore, it might be wise to let the person recover at their own pace. All we can do is inform the healthcare professionals about the progress of the patient which in turn can help them in writing progress notes for them. This in turn can help them improve the quality of support and care for the patient if need be.
Are you looking for a counseling service that can help? At Braden Counseling Center, we’ll help your loved one re-learn the skills they need. We also offer family and couples counseling if you need help coping as well.
Reach out to us now on our contact form to learn more about how we can help.