Family Support Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries impact not only the individual but also the entire family. Because of this, it is essential for everyone to understand the role of the family in the recovery process after a traumatic brain injury. When an individual suffers a TBI, the emotional and social support that their family provides can aid significantly in the healing process. Therefore, when discussing any treatment following a brain injury, it is vital to address not only the individual but also his or her loved ones.
Focusing on Family Strengths
Numerous complications can strain the relationships within a family following a traumatic brain injury. Some of these include:
- An individual might not be able to return to work, leading to financial stress.
- If one parent suffers a TBI, he or she might not be able to assist in parenting.
- Emotional and mental health complications can lead to significant emotional strife within the home.
Family interventions play an important role following a TBI. During these interventions, it is essential for everyone to:
- Focus on the strengths of the family instead of the problems following a TBI.
- Remember that struggles after a loved one has suffered a TBI are normal.
- Emphasize that everyone needs to work together instead of focusing on a single person as “the problem.”
- Identify resources that can help assist in the recovery of their loved one.
Every family is unique and, therefore, all treatment plans should be individualized to demonstrate this uniqueness. Treatment approaches need to meet the family where they are. This means providing:
- Regular, up to date information.
- Strategies for coping with a new normal.
- Clear, defined treatment steps.
This often starts with a questionnaire that identifies what the family does and does not know. Then, the treatment plan can be generated. The goal of this information is to help alleviate some of the uncertainty following a TBI. This can alleviate some of the stress.
The Family’s Future: Realism with Hope
It can take a while for families to come to terms with what has happened to their loved ones. During this time, denial about the injury might appear present. It is crucial for families to receive accurate information about the prognosis of their loved one; however, this information needs to be delivered both with compassion and understanding. It is important to remember that denial is typically a defense mechanism against a traumatic experience and is the family’s way of distancing themselves from a tough situation. During this situation, families will need time to fully understand and accept what has happened. While their expectations for the future need to be realistic, it is essential not to destroy hope as well. A lack of hope could lead to despair and might make it more difficult for families to buy into the treatment process down the road. In this sense, families need to have hope for the future while also being realistic about the prognosis of their loved ones.
Normalizing The Experiences of the Family
Of the biggest challenges that families are going to face in the immediate aftermath of the TBI is the feeling of loss. Even though their loved one might not have actually passed away, the person that they once knew and loved might no longer exist. During this time, it is essential for families to be supportive and ask straightforward questions such as:
- Are you feeling down?
- Do you have hope for the future?
- What are you wondering right now?
- What can I do to help you?
Answering these questions will help family members process a complex array of emotions while also identifying what they need. It is just as important to remind them that these feelings are normal and expected after a tragic event. During this time, it is vital to focus on what the family can do instead of what they cannot. In many cases, this situation is referred to as an “ambiguous loss” because there isn’t a service to recognize it (such as a funeral), but the loved one that they once knew will no longer be the same.
Watch YouTube Video: Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury. In the following video, a family works together to help a young family member recover from a serious traumatic brain injury.
Sacramento Brain Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a brain injury lawyer in Sacramento. If someone you love has sustained a traumatic brain injury in an accident due to negligence from another party, you may be entitled to compensation. Call me for free and friendly advice. You can reach me online, or at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-4500.
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