Understanding the 6 Emotional Stages of Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Understanding the emotional stages of TBI recovery can help the process a lot. If you’re reading this, you or someone you know has probably suffered a brain injury from TBI. If so, we’re sorry if the situation has caused you or a loved one pain and discomfort.

It can be white the journey of recovering from a brain injury, and the time between the therapy appointments is filled with every emotion imaginable.

This article will cover the stages of emotional recovery and outline ways to progress peacefully. We hope that by understanding what most people go through, you can pinpoint where you are in the journey and not feel isolated.

Let’s get to it.

Emotional Recovery from a TBI

A traumatic brain injury is complicated for so many reasons. Emotionally, it’s hard for the brain to process everything in the early recovery days. The brain is in crisis mode, and all functions not immediately necessary to healing the damage are put on hold, including emotional processing.

Then come the new symptoms. Headaches, nausea, brain fog, and dizziness can all affect one’s resting mood. Let’s not even get into what it’s like to try to find care for these symptoms. Every ailment seems to have its own specialist, and the time and money add up quickly.

Lastly, any underlying depression or anxiety can become unbearable after a traumatic brain injury, whether it’s due to the extra burden of finding relief or the uncertainty of whether or not recovery is possible. Mental illness after a brain injury is a real obstacle many face.

Whatever combination of emotional strain you may have, there are some general stages people go through. These stages, outlined below, can help you gauge where you’re in the recovery process. Hopefully, this information and tips for progressing through the stages will help you feel less alone and understand that most people will progress through these stages with time.

The Emotional Stages of TBI Recovery

1. Shock

   – Individuals and their loved ones often experience shock immediately following the injury. It can be challenging to comprehend the extent of the injury and its implications. This initial stage serves as a protective mechanism, allowing individuals to process the reality of the situation slowly.

It’s important to let this process unfold naturally and give the person adequate time to rest and process. The first stage of physical recovery is primarily rest until they can return to light activity, so let them rest and come to terms with the injury at their own pace.

For a more complete rundown of physical recovery times, click here.

2. Confusion and Frustration

   – Individuals may encounter confusion and frustration as the initial shock wears off. Cognitive impairments, memory issues, and the inability to perform daily tasks can lead to feelings of frustration. There may be a realization of the gap between past abilities and current limitations.

It’s essential to document the most problematic limitations so you can bring that list to therapy. Setting therapeutic goals should reflect what issues are holding the person back the most.

Understand that some limitations have deliberate strategies, while some will generally heal over time. Your job is to find as many strategies as possible to address the issues that prevent full functioning.

3. Anxiety and Depression

   – Anxiety and depression are common emotional responses during TBI recovery. Anxiety can arise from uncertainties about the future, while depression can stem from the loss of former abilities and independence.

Understand that these feelings are normal, and if you need support to deal with them, find it. Many times, these dire feelings result from extrapolating current limitations into the future.

It’s easy in the early days, when the limitations are most pronounced, to wonder if this is the new normal. It’s also easy to let these thoughts run away because the brain is still trying to recover. Let these feelings run their course, and understand that recovery is possible and these limitations will likely get better over time.

4. Acceptance of the Challenges Ahead

   – Adjustment to the “new normal” is a gradual process that may feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Individuals might experience mood swings, irritability, and periods of sadness.

Eventually, people come to terms with the idea that restoring function will be a process. In our experience, this is where people turn a corner in their recovery. People who lean into this and treat it like a challenge typically do much better than people who view it as a burden.

The people who have gone the farthest in recovery have the best attitude and embrace the challenges without resentment or bitterness. That’s not to say you can’t still have down days when you feel like nothing is going well and you grieve the past. Consistently cultivating a mindset of overcoming each small challenge will serve you well into the future.

5. Hope and Progress

   – Over time, with rehabilitation and support, individuals begin to see signs of progress. No matter how small, achievements bring about hope and belief that the future will improve.

These milestones should be celebrated. Minor improvements in function lead to significant improvements in quality of life. They may take time to show up, but when they do, acknowledge them.

We’ve found it helpful to put external reminders of these accomplishments. It helps push through some bad days and reminds you that recovery is possible.

6. Continual Adaption

   – The final stage involves adapting to the changes and finding new ways to thrive. This stage is marked by a sense of peace and an understanding that life, while different, can still be fulfilling and meaningful.

You may or may not be at a function level that allows you to return to normal life. The point is that wherever your recovery status, you become aware and at peace with the process of recovery. You’ve seen enough steps forward to know that the only way to stop recovery is to stop trying.

At this stage, it is essential to continuously seek out different forms of support to ensure the recovery stays consistent. Below are some ways we’ve found helpful for support over time.

Supporting Emotional Recovery

1. Professional Support

   – Engaging with therapists, counselors, or support groups can be invaluable. Professionals experienced in TBI can provide tools and strategies to manage emotions effectively. These range from MDs, OTs, PTs, speech therapists, functional neurologists, and many more.

2. Family and Caregiver Involvement

   – Family members and caregivers play a critical role in emotional recovery. Their understanding, patience, and encouragement are vital, though they must also care for their emotional well-being. There are many free online courses for caregivers to take advantage of.

3. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques

   – Practices such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can be beneficial in managing stress and enhancing emotional resilience. These practices cultivate emotional resilience and awareness, two critical aspects of TBI recovery.

4. Setting Realistic Goals

   – Setting achievable goals, both short-term and long-term, can foster a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It is important to celebrate progress, no matter the size. Start with small goals and build the momentum as you set bigger ones.

5. Cultivating a Support Network

   – Building a network of supportive friends, family, and fellow TBI survivors can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation. Plenty of online support groups allow you to share challenges, collect tips, and feel like part of a community.

Conclusion

Traumatic brain injuries are complicated for so many reasons. The uncertainty and limitations all add up to a substantial emotional burden. We hope this information helps you feel less alone and validates the struggle you’ve been through. Brain injuries are not a life sentence. The right mindset and therapies can take you farther than you ever thought possible, and you’re one good decision away from changing your quality of life dramatically.

If you have questions about concussion recovery, click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. We’ve treated hundreds of complex neurologic cases and can help piece together the missing pieces in your recovery.

*Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Patients should consult their medical provider or primary care physician before trying any remedies or therapies at home.