A brain injury can be very serious and life-changing. It can be difficult and upsetting to see a loved one suffer a brain injury whether this is from an accident, infection, tumour, stroke or any other kind of brain injury. You will want to do all that you can to support them during this time, so what are a few of the best ways that you can go about doing this?
Know the Signs
First, it is important to know the signs of a brain injury. It can sometimes be hard to tell because there may be no physical evidence that something is wrong, but there may be changes in their behaviour to look out for. A few of the most common symptoms of a brain injury include:
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Difficulty with memory
- Slurred speech
- Headache
- Nausea
If they exhibit these symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. It is better to be safe than sorry and you do not want to take risks when it comes to something as serious as a brain injury.
Provide emotional support
One of the most important steps to take is simply to provide emotional support. Any kind of brain injury will be traumatic and upsetting and it may feel overwhelming at first. This is why you simply need to be there for them and be someone that they can talk to if they are feeling angry, confused, anxious or just need some company.
Help them adjust
After a brain injury, it is likely that your loved one’s life will change and it can be hard to adjust to this. You will want to help them to adjust as best you can, so it is helpful to plan new things that you can do together to show that you can still have fun and enjoy one another’s company.
Encourage rehab exercises
Rehab is a key part of recovering from a brain injury, but rehab can be tough and your loved one will need support. It is important to give them independence, but you should also be there to pick them up when they are struggling and need encouragement.
Help with a compensation claim
If the brain injury is a result of an accident that was not their fault or medical negligence, they could be entitled to compensation that would recover the existing and future damages. You could help them with their brain injury claims so that they can build a better life following their accident.
These are a few of the best ways that you can support a loved one that has suffered a brain injury. This can be a difficult, traumatic and life-changing thing to go through, so you will want to do all that you can to help and support your loved one.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
