Adjustment Problems

Physical Communication Cognitive Behavioural / Emotional

A traumatic brain injury is a life changing and stressful event which may result in adjustment problems also knowns as adjustment disorder. An adjustment disorder may interfere with rehabilitation following a brain injury. Symptoms may include depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping or concentrating, poor decision making etc.

There are effective treatments for adjustment disorder including counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy which is a form of talk therapy. It enables you to replace negative thinking and behaviour with healthier thoughts and behaviour. Joining a support group may also assist. Medication may be used for symptoms like trouble sleeping or anxiety, but talk therapy is the main treatment.

A person with an adjustment disorder should also try to:

  • Exercise and eat a healthy diet.
  • Get regular hours of sleep.
  • Maintain a social life including support from friends and family
  • Find ways to reduce stress.
  • Give yourself more time to do the things you need to do.

"Rehabilitation interventions can lead to positive outcomes for children and their families if delivered in the familiar home environment and applied to everyday situations"
Cerebra; United Kingdom
"We need to harness the power of brain plasticity for treating children and young people with brain injury, especially at the key ages of 0-3 and at ages 10-16"
Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada
I was very impressed with the results you have had with the young people you have worked with.
"We are medical practitioners. The real experts are the parents. Over the last 35 years they have taught me everything I know"
Lucia Braga; Brazil
"We are impressed with the progress you have made with the individual we referred to you."  Social Worker    
"There are problems with getting people into neuro-rehab. Those most in need are often those most excluded due to a lack of socio-economic resources."
Vicki Anderson; Australia
"With support parents cope better so the child has a better recovery"
Andrea Palacio-Navarro; Spain
"More play increases brain plasticity and makes for better recovery post brain injury"
Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada
"We would like to see earlier identification and support for children with brain injuries to help them succeed in school."
Dalton Leong; Chief Executive of the Children's Trust
"Children and young people have poor social competence post brain injury due to reduced cognition, executive functions, and emotional control. As a result they are twice as likely to have mental health issues in the future"
James Tonks; University of London

OUR MISSION: To work to remove inequalities for children & young people affected by acquired brain injury; and provide effective support to their families that makes a real difference.

Council for Disabled Children Community Funded Charity Excellence Lottery Funded Youth Foundation BBC CiN