Staying socially connected
One of the most frustrating aspects of brain injury is that people often find themselves cut off from their previous life; unable to do the things they love or keep up with the social life they once had. As with other aspects of recovery, there are ways around these challenges. While it may not be possible to return to life as before, it is important to seek ways to stay socially connected and find activities that are rewarding and fun.
The first step is to speak with rehabilitation specialists and family to determine what your capabilities and limitations are at your current stage of recovery. It is very common for people with brain injury to feel that they are further along the road to recovery than they actually are.
Social support
Having the support of others is important following brain injury. However, it is not always easy to maintaining friendships, particularly if the injury has an impact on communication and social skills. This can be exacerbated by fatigue and sometimes a lack of physical mobility.
During the rehabilitation and recovery phase, staying in touch with friends can be worked into a schedule and might be as simple as making a phone call or sending an email. It is helpful when friends understand what kind of support is needed. For example, allowing time for you to answer or knowing that you will tire easily. Brain injury support groups are a great way to make new friends and share the experience of recovery. The rise of online support groups means you don’t need to live nearby to share the benefits.