Causes:

    An acquired brain injury is any non-degenerative brain dysfunction resulting from medical, surgical or traumatic incidence that has happened since birth.

As a generalisation the brain is divided into two halves, known as the left and right hemispheres, with the left side controlling the right side of the body and vice versa. The brain is then further divided into different lobes as illustrated above.

The Frontal Lobe - this is responsible for emotions, personality, behaviour, thinking, organising and problem solving.

The Temporal Lobe - this is responsible for memory, language and understanding as well as containing the centre for interpreting the senses of hearing, taste and smell.

The Parietal Lobe - this is responsible for the sense of touch and perception.

The Occipital Lobe - this is responsible for vision

The Cerebellum - this co-ordinates information from the ears, eyes and body to maintain balance and control muscle activity.

It is therefore common that any brain tissue damage to a particular area, or lobe, will affect the functions that the area was responsible for.

Effects

An acquired brain injury can happen to anyone at any time, and may be instant or occur some time after the initial injury. Although the brain will have actually suffered physical damage it is not always detected, even with modern technology.

Known as the 'hidden disability' due to there often being no outwardly noticeable symptoms, its effects can have mild to life changing consequences depending upon the severity and the location of the injury to the brain. Each individual will demonstrate a unique set of problems, possibly including any one or more from the following: -

These cognitive and/or physical problems may be short or long term, possibly causing personal crisis, unemployment, devalued self-worth, breakdown of relationships and loss of friends leading to social exclusion, greater dependency and economic decline.

Recovery and rehabilitation can be lengthy and will require a co-ordinated approach between the different organisations, agencies, families and/or carers involved. Wood (1999) says that the 'neurobehavioural legacies' which interfere with mood, behaviour and executive function are the greatest obstacles to social recovery. Headway aims to help with these 'legacies' over a period of time to maximise the client's self-potential and to assist social reintegration.

For further information regarding the effects of an acquired brain injury and rehabilitation, two suggested books to read are: -

Powell, T        (1994) Head Injury A Practical Guide                 Winslow Press
Tyerman, A    (2001) Psychological Effects of Brain Injury         NHIA