Reclaiming Your Health and Independence After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by a blow to the head or a penetrating injury that disrupts the function of the brain. TBIs...
DOCTOR REVIEWING MRI

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by a blow to the head or a penetrating injury that disrupts the function of the brain. TBIs can lead to a wide range of symptoms, depending on the severity of the injury. Some common causes of TBI include motor vehicle accidents, falls, and assaults. TBIs can also be caused by sports injuries, exposure to blasts, or injuries sustained during military service. While there is no one way to prevent TBIs, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of injury. Wearing a seat belt, using a helmet, and avoiding risky behavior can help reduce the risk of TBIs.

Though there are ways to prevent TBIs, the most important part is to pursue coping mechanisms and reclaim your independence and wellness overall. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the ways that you can reclaim your life after a TBI.

Find counselors to offer insight into your situation.

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If you’re suffering from a TBI, it is always a great idea to seek the professional insight that a psychologist or psychiatrist can give you.

If you’re looking for a network of mental health professionals that will find the individual therapy fit perfect for you and your TBI recovery, Berkshire therapy is always accepting new patients. Their mental health professionals and counselors offer solutions to life’s problems with a therapeutic approach, where you are the primary focus. A professional who offers compassion and direction during your transition from injury to recovery is the best way of strengthening your chances of regaining your independence and coping with the behavior and emotional changes that come with a TBI.

Connect with others with traumatic brain injuries.

It can be very isolating, living with a TBI. You may feel like you are the only one who has gone through this, but that is not the case. There are many others out there who have experienced a TBI and are working to reclaim their health and independence.

It can be helpful to connect with others who have gone through something similar. They understand what you are going through and can offer support and change the trajectory of your recovery in a better, more constructive direction. There are many online forums and support groups for people with TBIs, or you can reach out to your local chapter of the Brain Injury Association of America.

Talking to others who have been in your position can help you feel less alone and more motivated to continue your journey to recovery. It is proven that support networks are intrinsic to healing in any way, and TBIs are no different.

Find ways to manage your emotional wellness.

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Depression and other mood changes are common after a traumatic brain injury. These mood changes can range from feeling sad to feeling hopeless and can affect a person’s ability to function both physically and mentally. While mood changes are common, it is important to seek help if the changes are having a significant impact on your life. There are many treatments available that can help improve your mood and quality of life.

Some treatment plans will encourage you to consider massage therapy, where the physical symptoms caused by a traumatic brain injury, like back pain and headaches, can be treated with compassion. There are massage therapists whose specialties are in back pain and head trauma, so looking into your options, whether that be by referral or your own research, can benefit you on your journey.

There are also treatment programs that offer individual therapy for people of specific ethnicities. For example, you can find a Jewish health and rehabilitation center if you feel you’ll be more comfortable receiving evaluation and counseling services from Jewish mental health professionals and counselors.

A TBI can leave a person feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. TBIs are a major public health problem in the United States. Every year, 1.7 million people sustain a TBI, and about 52,000 people die from their injuries. TBIs can result in a wide range of short- and long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional problems. It is important then to seek help and find ways to better your life-changing situation. This list is not exhaustive, but it’s a great start if you’re looking for ways to heal from your trauma.

Keith Bell is the Creative Director for Urban Tulsa. He has been with UT since 2018, and manages the creative department designing every issue from concept to web production.
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