Following brain injury, the person may experience adjustment difficulties. This presents as a state of emotional distress arising in a period of adaptation to a significant life change or stressful life event. Adjustment difficulties may present as emotional distress, depressive and/or anxiety symptoms.
It is important to recognise how difficult it is for the person to adjust to the massive life changing consequences of a significant brain injury. The person may have to cope with a wide range of difficulties (see Impact of ABI) and may also experience difficulty adjusting to the psychosocial consequences e.g. loss of confidence, loss of sense of self identity, loss of occupation/training & education opportunities, loss of role, changes in family and social relationships, financial difficulties and uncertainty as well as anxiety about their future.
Adjustment difficulties frequently lead to a significant impairment in social, occupational and/or other areas of functioning (e.g. activities of daily living). The person may continue to experience ongoing adjustment difficulties for a number of years after brain injury.
The person who is severely cognitively impaired may lack insight into the extent of their difficulties, the impact on their life and the need for care. In this context adjustment may be expressed in an atypical manner:
- Atypical symptoms of a depressive illness e.g. irritability.
- Anxiety expressed as agitation/aggression.
- Reduced cooperation with care and treatment.
For advice regarding treatment which may be helpful in the management of adjustment difficulties, please click here.