Coping with Fear
Brain injury can be a devastating and catastrophic event. The injured person has likely been compromised physically, emotionally and mentally. For anyone close to the injured individual, fear can dominate all areas of life. New concerns can preoccupy the family and/or spouse daily. Fear of financial challenges, of the unknown, and of the patient's ability to recover become a new reality.
Fear is normal and everyone expresses it differently. Therefore it is expected that the family will go through fear. Fortunately, there are resources that ease the burden of fear and can give perspective on the difficulties an injury can generate.
For families, expressing this emotion with each other and seeking the guidance and support in counseling can mitigate the power of fear. CNS offers group and individual counseling, and provides community resources for support groups. In the safe environment of counseling, families can learn that they do not have to walk through fear alone. Sharing with others and being heard by peers helps ease the feeling that there is nowhere to turn.
Another option to consider is learning more about brain injury and asking questions of the patient's treatment team. Education and knowledge can provide perspective on brain injury and what to expect as rehabilitation progresses. Also knowing that treatment is tailored to each patient's brain injury can foster understanding of the process and prospects for the future.
