After a traumatic brain injury, families quickly learn that they brought a different child home from the hospital. Counseling is advised for families in this situation.
Denial and Depression
Denial is quite common with TBI. After all, my body is healed so I must be fine. This is the view of not only the TBI child but the parents. After a long period of time, when the child continues to have problems, depression may slip in. Sooner or later, reality sets in and the family must come to terms with the fact that things may never change for the better.
Counseling
Counseling is advised for the child and the entire family. Everyone in the family is affected so everyone must receive help in dealing with this new person in the family.
Anger
If the brain injury was caused by a drunk driver, there may be much anger directed at the driver of the other car. The child may also be very angry that their life has changed. It is not overreacting to watch for suicide indicators.
Forgetfullness
The family should put every activity on a master calendar. Train the child to look at it several times a day: before school, after school, before going to bed. Leave post-it notes on the back door, television, bedroom door. Constant reminders are necessary.
Self-Esteem Drops
As the child begins to realize that they are now different, they may lose confidence in themselves. Friends may pull away once they realize things will never get better. The child may become very lonely and not understand what is happening. Feeling rejected compounds the depression.
Pray For a Miracle
Families often hope for a miracle that the child will heal. After it becomes evident that this will not happen, family members may begin wishing that the child had died in the accident. Guilt sets in for feeling this way.
Mourning
The child is alive but it is common for a family to mourn the loss of the child that is no longer there. Mourn the life that once was and can no longer be. Mourn the plans for the future that no longer seem possible.
No Final Closure
TBI is an ongoing situation. As the child gets older, new plans must go into place, new modifications, new restrictions.
A healthy family will grieve, get counseling, express emotions, and exchange old dreams for new dreams.
Read more about TBI Classroom Strategies, TBI Learning Symptoms, TBI Challenges, TBI Statistics and Trauma by Sam Vaknin.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
