Help for People with Brain Injuries

“It was the first time in my life that I couldn’t depend on myself.” 

There are many people who can help you and your family as you recover from your brain injury. You don’t have to do it alone. Show this brochure to your doctor or health care provider and talk with them about your concerns. Ask your doctor whether you need specialized treatment and about the availability of rehabilitation programs. Your doctor may be able to help you find a health care provider who has special training in the treatment of concussion. Early treatment of symptoms by professionals who specialize in brain injury may speed recovery. Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist, neuropsychologist, neurosurgeon, or specialist in rehabilitation. 
  

“My husband used to be so calm. But after his injury, he started to explode over the littlest things. He didn’t even know that he had changed.” 

When someone close to you has a brain injury, it can be hard to know how best to help. They may say that they are “fine” but you can tell from how they are acting that something has changed. 

If you notice that your family member or friend has symptoms of brain injury that are getting worse or are not getting better, talk to them and their doctor about getting help. They may also need help if you can answer YES to any of the following questions: 

• Has their personality changed? 
  
• Do they get angry for no reason? 
  
• Do they get lost or easily confused? 
  
• Do they have more trouble than usual making decisions? 

You might also want to talk with people who have experienced what you are going through. The Brain Injury Association can put you in contact with people who can help (see page 17).

“I thought I was all alone, but I’m not. There are lots of people out there who understand what I’ve been through.” 

Several groups help people with brain injury and their families. They provide information and put people in touch with local resources, such as support groups, rehabilitation services, and a variety of health care professionals. 

Among these groups, the Brain Injury Association (BIA) has a national office that gathers scientific and educational information and works on a national level to help people with brain injury. In addition, 44 affiliated state Brain Injury Associations provide help locally. 

You can reach the BIA office by calling the toll-free BIA National Help Line at 1-800-444-6443. You can also get information through the national BIA Website at www.biausa.org. Both the Help Line and the Website can provide you with information about your closest state Brain Injury Association. More information about brain injury is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website at www.cdc.gov/ ncipc/tbi.
 

• BIA National Help Line: 1-800-444-6443 
  
• BIA Website: www.biausa.org 
  
• CDC Website: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi 
  
• State Brain Injury Association

This page last modified on September 19, 2006.

Privacy Notice - Accessibility

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control