Impact
on the Family
It has often been said that head injury affects
whole families, not just individuals. Many difficult stages
have to be passed through from the initial shock of the news
of an accident, to eventual acceptance that things may now
be very different from how they used to be - for both the individual
concerned and the whole family.
It is not unusual that some or
many of the following can happen to carers/members of the
family when all their lives have been turned upside down. The
important thing is to get help and support as there are many
people who do understand and who have been through similar experiences.
Many of these things are difficult to accept, but they can occur
and acceptance is a big part of moving forward again.
- Self esteem & self worth can
be low due to changes in all the circumstances below
- Status within the family & socially may
have changed
- Life plans & ambitions may
have to be put on hold or changed
- Income & security may
be difficult and families may need to claim benefits and
adjust to reduced incomes
- Social life may change due
to the BI person not being able to do the things they previously
could
- Sexuality & sexual function may
change and cause problems in a relationship
- Intimacy & companionship can
often feel lost as you may not have the same type of relationship
- Friendships & wider family
relationships sometimes difficult due to them not
understanding what brain injury means.
- Family health & stresses can
be effected if the carer and family do not take good care
of themselves and ensure they have 'time out'
- Roles within family: as father,
bread winner etc can often change and the whole family
as to get used to new roles
- Behaviour, moods, personality can
all affect the harmony of family life as tempers fray. Carer's
moods will change as well as the brain injured person, as they
have to learn to cope with all the issues.
Carers/families can help minimise the effects of all the above
by getting help as soon as possible and by helping everyone around
them to understand brain injury and what everyone else is going
through. Show
this website to your family and friends and get them to read the
literature available.
Our Community
Services are there to
help carers/families so please call if you feel you need any help
Enquiry Line - 0121-457-7541
You
can read more about how a brain injury affects the family on
the Headway - brain injury association website - click here
