Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is damage to the brain acquired after birth. It includes traumatic brain injury as well as tumour, stroke, brain haemorrhage and encephalitis, to name a few causes. The effects are often very similar to those of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but the key differences that make treating and coping with acquired brain injury are quite different.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injury occurs when sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Traumatic Brain Injury can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain.
You are the same person, just different.
This can be hard to remember at times, but it’s important to keep this in mind during tough days. Brain injuries affect different people in different ways, but many brain injury survivors will experience at least one of the issues below:
Fatigue. Even the small, straight forward tasks can leave you completely drained.
Memory. You may find that your short term memory worsens. While you might well recall childhood memories with clarity, you may now find it hard to remember names, faces and more recent events.
Planning. Leaving home can feel intimidating, even if you were a confident traveler, pre-injury. Noise, traffic, crowds or unfamiliar places can leave you feeling daunted and unsettled. You may find that nowadays, you need to plan trips carefully, allowing more time than you used to and feel better writing details down about your destination and route.
Concentration. You can find it hard to concentrate, so may be unable to last through a movie, finish a book, or follow a conversation.
Slower Responses. You may find that your body reacts more slowly to things
Changes in Character. Personality changes are very often linked to head injury/brain trauma. Formerly mild-mannered people may now find themselves more short-tempered, or anxious, for example. Dealing with these changes can be emotionally draining.
Physical issues. There are of course many, but these may include issues with balance, speech, hearing, noise-sensitivity, muscle spasms, etc.
Relationship changes. Family dynamics can often change after brain injury. Everyone is put under strain and spouses may find themselves in more of a carer-type of role. If you are a spouse or family member, and need to talk, do bear in mind our Peer Group. Running every week in complete confidentiality, it offers the opportunity to talk openly and honestly in a safe, quiet and above all, non-judgmental environment. Simply talking through your concerns, frustrations and feelings can be a real help.
Above all, remember – you are not alone.
Caring for someone with a brain injury
If you are caring for someone with a brain injury, or have a relative being treated in hospital, we understand that you’ll feel as if you’re on both a practical and emotional rollercoaster. It can be hard even knowing where to start.
For example, you may need to work out financial entitlements (and then manage the related paperwork), figure out practical arrangements, deal with your loved ones’ employer, and book seemingly endless medical appointments (not to mention continuing to try and run the house and manage the rest of the family, children’s schooling, your own work commitments, etc).
It is very hard seeing a loved one go through such a tough time – you may at times feel that your relationship has changed. You might also face unexpected personality or behavioural changes the injury has brought about in your loved one. This can be a very upsetting, stressful time for everyone involved. We understand that 100%.
About the Brain
Your brain weighs about 3lbs (that’s just under 1.5kg), and it has the texture of blancmange.
Your brain is connected to your spinal cord by the brain stem.
Behind your brain is the cerebellum. This part of the brain coordinates movement, posture, balance and speech.
60% of the brain is made up of fat. That’s why a diet rich in ‘healthy’ fats like Omega 3 and 6 is so beneficial to brain performance.
The Cerebral Cortex is the largest part of your brain. It contains the frontal lobes, the motor cortex, sensory cortex and parietal lobes. These lobes process different types of sensory information.
The brain is made up of around 100 billion nerve cells and even more support cells, which provide nourishment to the nerve cells. Every time a new memory is formulated, new brain connections are made. When you’re awake, the human brain can produce enough electricity to power a small lightbulb.
The storage capacity of the human brain is almost limitless.
If your brain were to be flattened out, its surface would cover four sheets of A4 paper.
Headway UK Headway UK – the brain injury association. This is the national charity to whom we are affiliated, that works to improve life after brain injury. Free 24 hour helpline- 0808 800 2244 Email [email protected]
I'm Calling About Chris The Headway support website, I'm calling about Chris is a useful free resource. It's designed to help ease the burden of keeping friends and family members informed about the condition of a loved one in the acute stage of care following an acquired brain injury.
It’s a way of updating those who care, without having to spend hours on the phone each night, exhausted after spending 15 hours at the hospital bedside. And it’s a chance to connect with those who may be able to offer practical help or support.
The Brain Tumour Charity The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.
Brain and Spine Foundation This organisation offers information and education regarding a wide range of neurological symptoms and conditions, with the helpline being staffed by neuroscience nurses. Fourth Floor, CAN Mezzanine, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YR Helpline: 0808 808 1000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.brainandspine.org.uk
BRAKE The road safety charityRaising awareness of road safety and offering support to accident victims BRAKE, PO Box 548, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, HD1 2XZ Switchboard: 01484 559909 Victim Support Line: 0808 800 0401 Email: [email protected] Website: www.brake.org.uk
Child Brain Injury Trust The Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) supports children, young people and families affected by an acquired brain injury, to support them in achieving their potential. Unit 1, The Great Barn, Baynards Green Farm, Nr Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX27 7SG Helpline: 0303 303 2248 Contact number: 01869 341075 Email: [email protected] Website: www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care Offering bereavement care and support to those suffering with grief. Contact Number: 0870 167 1677 Young Person’s Free Phone: 0808 808 1677 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Community Brain Injury Team A specialist service staffed by clinical psychologists, specialist occupational therapists, a head injury co-ordinator and a consultant in rehabilitation medicine. Community Brain Injury Service, Abbey Block, Isebrook Hospital, Irthlingborough Rd, Wellingborough, NN8 1LP Tel: 03000272106 Email: [email protected]
Community Law Service An independent and confidential service offering a team of highly experienced caseworkers and solicitors. They provide a comprehensive casework service and advice from beginning to conclusion, including representation at social security appeal tribunals, immigration appeals, housing repossession hearings, bankruptcy hearings and other debt related matters at the Crown and County Court. Northampton Offices: 01604 621038 Rushden Offices: 01933 313020 Wellingborough Offices: 01933 278248 Website: www.communitylawservice.org.uk
Northamptonshire Social Services Adult Care Team A Northamptonshire County Council provision for specialist social care and help towards community living. John Dryden House, Northampton, NN4 7YD Tel: 0300 126 1000
Northamptonshire Carers A comprehensive support service to the unpaid carers of Northamptonshire. Open 9-5pm, Mondays to Fridays inclusive. 123 Midland Road, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 1LU General Enquiries: 01933 677837 Carer’s Support Line: 01933 677907 Email: [email protected] Website: www.northamptonshire-carers.org
ABI Relatives Group Providing help and information for those living and caring for someone with an Acquired Brain Injury. The group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month.
