SHARON DANIELS - CLINICAL CONSULTANT PSYCHOLOGIST
ACQUIRED BRAIN DAMAGE
Damages to certain parts of the brain can change your personality and the way you think and behave. Your personality may be exaggerated or even totally different.
These changes usually become more noticeable as you recover. Along with cognitive (thinking) and/or memory problems, they often have the biggest effect on your life.
Changes in behaviour are not as easy to understand as other changes and can be less easy to put your finer on. Your family and friends' reaction to these changes can also effect how you behave.
HOW CAN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR AND EMOTIONS AFFECT YOU IN EVERYDAY LIFE?
1. You may become irritated more quickly - you may be oversensitive to other people’s behaviour.
2. You may have outbursts - you swear or stamp your feet or thumps things, more than you used to. You are more likely to shout or hit out at people.
3. You don't always think of others - you may be unreasonable impatient with others.
4. You talk more - you may confuse people by jumping from topic to topic when you are talking to them. You may find it hard to "get to the point" or what you are talking about.
5. You rush into things - you may spend your money on something and find you have none left for the rest of the week. You make errors when doing things.
6. You may have less control of your emotions - you may find that you cry more easily since your injury. Once you start laughing, you may find it difficult to stop.
7. You may not realise that you have changed - people say you won't be able to do things, but you do not believe them. People tell you that you've changed, but you don't think you have.
8. You may have trouble in social situations - you may find your friends do not visit as much now. You may not listen to people as much.
9. You may be more suspicious and less trusting - you may think that others are talking about you.
10. You may rely more on other people - you may not have the confidence to do things for yourself and wait for other people to do these things. You may also find that you feel depressed, or anxious or worried. You may also experience an increased or decreased interest in sex.
THINGS THAT CAN BE HELPFUL
1. A regular routine can help you feel more in control of your life.
2. Learn how to deal with Stress.
3. Listen to feedback from others.
4. Tackle things a bit at a time.
5. Get professional advice on how to cope. Proper diagnosis and early treatment can aid in your recovery.
6. Your family and friends may need assistance to understand, and deal with some of the changes in your behaviour.