ABCs of TBI
A
Anxiety and/or anger are not uncommon residual effects of traumatic brain injury.
Allow yourself to be afraid.
B
Believe. In yourself, family, friends, and doctors.
C
Caregivers benefit when their own physical, mental, and social needs are met.
D
Don't quit.
E
Exercise the body, mind, and spirit.
F
Flexibility in thought can be overshadowed by mental rigidity (i.e. inflexibility) after a traumatic brain injury.
G
Get plenty of rest.
H
Helmets protect the brain by absorbing energy forces that would otherwise impact the head. Wear a helmet for team sports like football, lacrosse, hockey, baseball, softball, and t-ball; motorcycling, mopeds, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs); bicyling and scooters; alpine activities such as sledding, ice skating, snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling; rollerskating and in-line skating; horsebackriding; and rock climbing. Courtesy: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
I
If the doctor instructs or orders, listen.
J
Join a support group.
K
Keep going and keep things simple.
L
Love never fails.
M
Minimize fatigue.
Movement creates oxygen flow to the brain.
N
Note when a physician or pharmacist advises medication is adversely impacted by drugs or alcohol.
O
Oxygen consumption by the brain accounts for approximately 20% of the human body's total oxygen intake.
Often what does not occur is more important than what does occur.
P
Pay it forward. Allow someone to help you--and help someone.
Q
Quiet is peace.
R
Remember--you are not alone.
S
Shame and social isolation are potential residual effects of traumatic brain injury.
Surround yourself with the best people you can.
Sleep.
T
Today is a gift and tomorrow is not guaranteed.
U
Understand the role of fear in traumatic brain injury.
V
Voice your opinion.
W
Wear seltbelts and utilize age-appropriate child-safety restraints and save lives.
X
X-rays, MRI scans, and medical records should be stored in a safe place.
Y
You can do it.
Z
Zero. The number of times you will succeed if you give up.
