Finding purpose can provide us a sense of worthiness and control in our lives. It can help us accomplish our goals, pursue our dreams, and feel happier about ourselves. It can give our lives meaning and a purpose to live. However, finding purpose following a brain injury may be challenging. What was once familiar may be unclear. You may feel lost and confused. There may be changes in […]

Manipulation is the practice of using indirect or deceptive strategies to change the behavior, emotion, or perception of others. Some individuals with a brain injury may show manipulative behavior due to behavioral and/or personality changes caused by the injury. They may have difficulty expressing their wants and needs and fulfilling expectations of others.   Therefore, they may engage in other behaviors, such as manipulation, to have a sense of

The cerebrum is the part of your brain that controls muscle functions. It is divided into two hemispheres: a left hemisphere and a right hemisphere. Each hemisphere receives sensory information from the opposite side of the body. The left hemisphere controls your right side of the body, and your right hemisphere controls your left side of the body. The

Individuals with traumatic brain injuries can experience a variety of symptoms such as physical, cognitive, and emotional changes that significantly impact their lives. As a result, survivors may exhibit personality changes, memory problems, seizures, sleep disorders, chronic pain, tremors, vision problems, and other disabling symptoms that can affect their quality of life. This can lead

Nutrition plays an important role in brain health and function. Incorporating a healthy, nutritious diet into your lifestyle can have many cognitive benefits, such as slowing down brain aging, boosting our brain function, and improving our memory. Certain “brain” foods can help increase brainpower and maintain brain health. They include:  Brain Food  Description  Green, leafy vegetables  Slow down cognitive decline  Fatty fish  Slows down cognitive decline  Improves memory  Produces a brain chemical

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative brain disease that results from repeated blows to the head. It is a progressive disease: once it is triggered, it will worsen with aging. CTE has been found in many athletes, military veterans, and other individuals with a history of repetitive head traumas. Symptoms of CTE do not generally appear until years after the onset of head traumas,

Resilience is the ability to adapt positively to changes and build yourself back up after experiencing obstacles in our lives (e.g., adversity, trauma, unexpected problems and tragedies). To be resilient means that even though you cannot always change your current circumstance, you try your best to cope, modify, or change the aspects that you can control. To be resilient does not mean you will not experience pain or stress, it is how you deal with the

Taking care of someone with a traumatic brain injury may be very challenging, especially to a loved one or a caregiver. Having too much responsibility without receiving assistance or support can take a toll on someone’s mental, physical, and emotional state. It can eventually lead to caregiver burden, which is the strain or stress perceived by an individual who takes care