Traumatic brain injury: Epidemiology, classification, and pathophysiology. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries. Acute mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) in adults. Traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Traumatic brain injury: Hope through research.Minimize distractions such as loud background noise from a television or radio.

Appropriate changes at work or school may include having instructions read to you, allowing more time to complete tasks or breaking down tasks into smaller steps. Make arrangements at work or school to take breaks as needed. Keep a consistent schedule, keep things in designated places to avoid confusion and take the same routes when going to frequently visited destinations. Keep a record of important events, people's names, tasks or other things that are difficult to remember. Talk to your doctor or rehabilitation therapist about a support group that can help you talk about issues related to your injury, learn new coping strategies and get emotional support. Depending on the severity of injury, a family caregiver or friend may need to help implement the following approaches:

Vocational counselor, who assesses the ability to return to work and appropriate vocational opportunities and who provides resources for addressing common challenges in the workplaceĪ number of strategies can help a person with traumatic brain injury cope with complications that affect everyday activities, communication and interpersonal relationships.

Recreational therapist, who assists with time management and leisure activities.

Traumatic brain injury nurse specialist, who helps coordinate care and educates the family about the injury and recovery process.

Rehabilitation nurse, who provides ongoing rehabilitation care and services and who helps with discharge planning from the hospital or rehabilitation facility.

Social worker or case manager, who facilitates access to service agencies, assists with care decisions and planning, and facilitates communication among various professionals, care providers and family members.

Neuropsychologist, who assesses cognitive impairment and performance, helps the person manage behaviors or learn coping strategies, and provides psychotherapy as needed for emotional and psychological well-being.

Speech and language therapist, who helps the person improve communication skills and use assistive communication devices if necessary.

Physical therapist, who helps with mobility and relearning movement patterns, balance and walking.

Occupational therapist, who helps the person learn, relearn or improve skills to perform everyday activities.Physiatrist, a doctor trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation, who oversees the entire rehabilitation process, manages medical rehabilitation problems and prescribes medication as needed.The type and duration of rehabilitation is different for everyone, depending on the severity of the brain injury and what part of the brain was injured. Therapy usually begins in the hospital and continues at an inpatient rehabilitation unit, a residential treatment facility or through outpatient services. The goal is to improve their abilities to perform daily activities. They may need to relearn basic skills, such as walking or talking. Most people who have had a significant brain injury will require rehabilitation.

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