Behavior Changes After Brain Injury

After a brain injury, a person may behave in new or more extreme ways. Patients may become agitated or aggressive. Some may curse, laugh, or cry out of context. Others may show increased or decreased sexual interest. Behavior changes may be caused by damage to the brain. Or they may result from the person’s increasing awareness of what has happened. Such changes may be linked to frustration, anger, or grief.

Handling Feelings

Many patients have extreme mood swings. Others show no change in emotions. As a patient becomes more aware, depression may set in. Team members address the patient’s feelings and behavior. A team member may ask an angry patient to “calm down.” If the person does so, he or she is praised for using self-control. Then the patient may be asked how he or she was able to handle the emotion. If the patient knows, the technique can be used again.

Controlling Agitation

Agitation and aggression may be stages a patient passes through. If the patient’s safety is a concern, restraints may be used. Or team members may take turns staying with the patient. As a patient becomes calmer, the team may do the following:

• Point out when a behavior is not proper. Then explain what the patient could do instead.

• Redirect agitated actions such as pacing.

• Divert the patient from tasks that are upsetting.

Regaining Social Skills

After a brain injury, some patients see only how matters relate to themselves. They may not be aware of how their actions and words affect others. Group rehab helps patients learn to deal with others. It also improves speech. Playing games helps patients link ideas and increase hand-eye skills.

You Can Help

Try to act in ways that teach good behavior. Also, let the person know he or she is still needed and loved. Try the tips below.

• Stay calm.

• Do not hold a grudge.

• Do not always give in to demands.

• See depression as a stage of recovery.

• Ignore outbursts of anger. Direct the person toward a task he or she can do.

• Do not cringe, frown, roll your eyes, shake your head, or clear your throat.

• Make contact. Hug, hold hands, a gentle touch.