People with TBI move through many stages of recovery after their injury. When TBI patients return home after their injury, they may face some unique challenges. Home life after TBI can be overwhelming or difficult, for both patients and their families and caregivers.

This infocomic, the second in a 3-part series, follows a TBI patient as he returns home from the hospital. It offers many suggestions on how avoid overwhelming a person with TBI, including the following:

  • Limit the number of visitors
  • Have one person speak at a time
  • Use short sentences and simple words
  • Use a calm soft voice
  • Keep stimulation to one sense at a time
  • Avoid crowded places

Understanding TBI: Part 2

RECAP FROM PART 1

We learned so much about TBI that I did a presentation about it for my science class.

For our next presentation, Sam is going to teach you about the brain!

Thank you! I’m going to share what I’ve learned about the brain while my brother has been in the hospital.

This is the brain; it controls everything that we do, from moving to thinking.

The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and vice versa.

The right brain deals with intuition, it makes a big picture out of little parts, and sees or hears patterns in music or visual art.

You might think any brain injury is traumatic, right?

The brain is soft tissue floating inside the skull.

When cells in the brain are hurt they can’t talk to each other the right way.

There are three things that are typically affected by TBI.

The effects of a TBI depend on which areas of the brain are injured.

After a TBI the fastest improvements happen in the first six months. Recovery continues after six months but at a slower pace.

Improvements may continue for many years after the injury. People recover at different speeds.

Yeah, I’ll be living with my parents. But I’m ready to get out there.

All of your schedules are connected now, having one calendar with everyone’s plans on it May help.

Also Mike, things may be overwhelming. It can help to have a daily routine.

Watching TV

Try to restrict the number of visitors, keeping it to one or two at a time.

Only one person should speak at a time. Use short sentences with direct and clear words.

Keep stimulation to one sense (hearing, visual or touch) at a time. Avoid crowded places.

Use a calm soft voice.

Mike slams the door.

I’ll go talk to him.

He's not really mad at me.

Mike, can I come in?

I’m sorry if we were too noisy.

AVOIDING OVERSTIMULATION

TBI AFFECTS THE WHOLE FAMILY

Until Recently I’d thought that with enough time Mike would eventually be “ok”.

But he gets frustrated so easily.

I tell him that he’ll recover before he knows it, but He’s just so down on himself.

Try not to overwhelm Mike by saying that he’ll recover quickly.

If he makes a mistake, try not to make him feel guilty about it.

I try not to but he was so independent before his TBI.

Great suggestions. I can do all of that!

Ways to Respectfully Support a Person Who’s Had a TBI

My mom spoke to the psychologist more than the rest of us. She often shared what they talked about with the rest of the family.

It’s good to have Mike at home, but he’s different and it’s got us all a little on edge.

Stress is related to medical problems like heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also lead to depression or anxiety.

I know I’d feel better if I wasn’t so stressed, but what can I do?

Stress can make it harder to be organized and to think clearly. There are some things you can do to help deal with it.

Focusing on deep breaths, Thinking of a calm situation, or Repeating a word with a positive meaning can help.

Learning to relax isn’t easy, but with practice you’ll get better at it.

Don’t forget to give yourself little rewards.

What about something smaller?

Well when you’re done with that do something nice for yourself.

Also, Try to find community.

Authorship and Illustration

Information Source of Understanding TBI: Part 2 Infocomic

Part 2 of the Understanding TBI infocomic series is based on the Understanding TBI factsheet series. This factsheet series was developed by Thomas Novack, PhD, and Tamara Bushnik, PhD, in collaboration with the Model System Knowledge Translation Center.

Related Resources about Understanding TBI

Find out more by checking out the resources on our Understanding TBI page.

Related Resources

Infocomics: Understanding TBI: Part 3
Podcast: Understanding TBI: Part 4 (Audio Factsheet)

Get involved with the MSKTC

 Become a Burn ambassador
 Participate in Burn research
 Meet the Burn Model Systems

Get involved with the MSKTC

 Become a SCI ambassador
 Participate in SCI research
 Meet the SCI Model Systems

Get involved with the MSKTC

 Become a TBI ambassador
 Participate in TBI research
 Meet the TBI Model Systems