Turn Text Only Off
RSS Feeds
Page Utilities
Carolyn Rocchio, Traumatic Brain Injury Resource, BrainLine.org
My husband fell off a ladder almost a year ago now and sustained a brain injury. I've noticed that his communication and social skills tend to get worse at parties, especially during the holiday season. Why is this? And what can I do to help?
The holidays can be fraught with pitfalls for someone with a brain injury. The fact that your husband's communication and social skills worsen at parties is not unusual. For starters, routines are disrupted and there can be an increased number of social functions with less time to rest in between.
TBI related fatigue could cause a decline in social skills. Things can get even more challenging if alcohol is added to the mix. And for individuals prone to seizure activity, holiday lighting — particularly flashing lights — could increase the risk of a seizure.
A social setting, like a party with many people engaged in conversation, eating, and drinking, can easily become over-stimulating and even upsetting to a person with TBI. To help your husband deal with all these issues, you might try limiting the number of engagements during the holidays. And when in a social setting, help support your husband’s conversations by introducing easy topics, and repeating or rephrasing questions asked by others.
You know your husband better than anyone else, and when you hear him having difficulty using the right words, or even slurring his speech, it's time to go home. All the activity has probably tired him out. For someone with TBI, it can be exhausting trying to converse in crowds, with strangers, and in over-stimulating settings.
Carolyn Rocchio is a nationally recognized advocate, author, and speaker in the field of brain injury. Her expertise in brain injury developed as a result of a 1982 auto crash in which her son sustained a severe traumatic brain injury.
She is the author of Ketchup on the Baseboard: Rebuilding Life After Brain Injury and is the founder of the Brain Injury Association of Florida.
The contents of Brainline (the “Web Site”), such as text, graphics, images, information obtained from the Web Site’s licensors and/or consultants, and other material contained on the Web Site (collectively, the “Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for medical, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Specifically, with regards to medical issues, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Web Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Web Site does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Web Site. Reliance on any information provided by the Web Site or by employees, volunteers or contractors or others associated with the Web Site and/or other visitors to the Web Site is solely at your own risk.
Comments [8]
I substained TBI while serving in the Gulf War. I find that large groups brings on the stress for several reasons. One, I do not have the ability to pronounce words when reading; and when in a group I switch the words for others that sound similar. (totally different meaning by accident). I, myself do not recognize that I have done that. I appreciate my friends that will correct the error, for it helps me realize my mistake. I agree fully with the lights and tiredness as being a problem with someone with TBI. Eighteen years and still learning. Cynthia
As a thirty one year old survivor of a TBI who has had numerous opportunities to enjoy the spirits of the holidays,I agree with the previous comments that you shouldn't try to please the entire party, rather you should concentrate on smaller groups so you can concentrate on more specific and personal topics.
I am recovering from an ABI, ruptured anneurysm, I also find parties and crowds difficult to deal with. For me its noise sensitivity and not being able to focus on conversations properly. It gives people the wrong impression, as I come across as unattentive and not interested, where in fact I find listening to conversations difficult with noise interference and background music. It does mean that I avoid parties and large gatherings. I wish anyone suffering from an ABI a speedy recovery and to remember that you go at your own pace not others. Best wishes!
I'm a 26 year old male who was an ABI. I was in a car accident. I used a lot of alcohol after my accident to numb the psychological pain of the crash. I have not had a drink in over 2 years now, 'one day at a time.' I find large gatherings of people tough and overwhelming especially when there is alcohol present. I also wear a hearing aid as a result of my accident. This makes it very hard to communicate with friends in loud envirnoments. I am looking forward to a quiet family Christmas but firstly getting my exams completed at university. I have learned that anything is possible when I apply myself.
I found this article very useful. I find it extremely hard to be in a room with more than 2 people at a time. I did not realize that this is another side to an ABI, and it makes me feel less "outside" knowing others have the same symptoms. Thank you. Bettyboop. a.ka Marie
An aid to dealing with social events is foam earplugs. The yellow one are best and less conspicuous that the pink bell shaped ear plugs. They will not change the ability to hear someone near but they will help block out the chaotic background sounds. My wife and I just tell people that I have an auditory processing disorder from a brain injury. A hearing aid clinic can custom fit "musician ear plugs" that look like hearing aids and blend in to the ear's color. Resting up before hand is also important. The companion also needs to be able to read the 'eyes' of the TBI patient. My wife can tell when I have had enough by the look in my eyes.
I am ABI survivour and the first three years of my brain injury I could not go into places with large crowds. I went to a Christmas party put on by my employeer and sat the whole night in tears. I had loved my job and could no longer work. I have never gone to a function in a party atosphere. Too much noise is stressful and I feel out of place. I do go to events put on by my local brain injury society and love the people, there is no alchol and we all have a great time, we all have a brain injury so we all feel safe together. Calliejay
See All TBI Topics
Footer
BrainLine.org is a WETA website funded by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center through a contract with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Government funding support is not an endorsement of WETA or any of its products, including this website.
where do they sell the ear plugs that look like hearing aids? Trish
Mar 15th, 2011 9:36pm