Why Attend a Support Group Meeting? The purpose of a support group is to learn more about Brain Injury and available services by meeting with others who are facing or have faced similar challenges. The essential elements of a support group are: Gather information. Share common needs and strengths. Provide a place to socialize meet new friends and find new connections in the community. Provide a safe place to find courage and take risks. Provide and environment where positive and negative views can be expressed without being judged.
Acquired Brain Injury is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, present at birth, or degenerative. Causes include traumatic brain injury; anoxic/hypoxic injury (e.g. heart attack, carbon monoxide poisoning), intracranial surgery, seizure disorders and toxic exposure (e.g. substance abuse, ingestion or inhalation of volatile agents).
Traumatic Brain Injury with or without skull fracture is an assault to the brain caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness. Brain injury may result in an impairment of cognitive abilities (e.g. perception, memory, or judgment), physical, behavioral or emotional functioning. A brain injury may be either temporary or permanent and may cause either partial or total functional impairment.
Mild Brain Injury, also known as concussion is an injury that may leave the person feeling dazed or cause a brief loss of consciousness. Mild brain injury can lead to "post-concussion syndrome" that can include headaches, dizziness, mild mental slowing, and fatigue. For some people, symptoms may last only a few months; for others, problems may persist indefinitely.
Brain Injury Characteristics: Just as each individuals is unique, so is each brain injury. Physical disabilities, impaired learning and personality changes are common. Frequently reported problems include:
The Possible Physical Impairments or Changes:Speech, Hearing, Paralysis, Headaches, Vision, Seizure Disorder, Muscle Spasticity, Reduced Endurance.
The Possible Cognitive Impairments or Changes: Concentration, Attention, Perceptions, Planning, Communication, Writing Skills, Short Term Memory, Long Term Memory, Judgment, sequencing, Reading Skills, Orientation.
The Behavioral/Emotional Impairments/ Changes: Fatigue, Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Restlessness, Agitation, Mood Swings, Excessive Emotions, Depression, Sexual Dysfunction, Lack of Motivation, Inability to Cope, Self-Centeredness. (end of TBI State info)