How to Retrain the Brain Following a Severe Concussion

Since no two brain injuries are exactly alike, there is no one way to retrain the brain following a severe concussion, if the victim is exhibiting symptoms of brain damage. The exact course of the individual's treatment will depend on what specific brain functions are impaired, and how severe the impairment is.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Rehabilitation therapist or physiotherapist (depending on the individual circumstance)
• Physician
• Health insurance
• Neurologist

1. Have the patient undergo a computerized brain-mapping procedure, such as a computed topography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These will provide doctors with detailed images of the brain's composition, allowing them to pinpoint areas that have suffered physical damage. From there, doctors will be able to determine the best course of action to take to retrain the person's brain, as necessary.
2. Get a referral to a neurology specialist, or a medical professional that specializes in helping rehabilitate people who have suffered serious brain injuries. Since the costs involved are prohibitive, make sure your health insurance provider will at least help to cover the expenses.
3. Work with a physiotherapist to retrain the brain to regain command of any parts of the body that the victim can no longer control. It is relatively common for people who have suffered severe concussions to have difficulty with motor skills, and a treatment regimen designed by a physiotherapist can help the patient recover these skills.
4. Get the help of an occupational therapist who will customize a treatment program aimed at helping the patient recover the skills needed to return to work. Typically, occupational therapy is available on an outpatient basis.
5. Use a speech therapist's help to recover any loss of linguistic skills or verbal communication skills. While these are relatively rare in concussion victims, they can develop in extremely severe cases, or cases in which the victim has suffered multiple serious concussions over the course of her lifetime.
6. Join a community-based program or support group for people recovering from brain injuries. Your chances of making a complete recovery are increased if you have the help of a support network.
7. Watch the patient for symptoms of epilepsy and, as the patient ages, Alzheimer's disease. People who have suffered serious concussions are at increased risk for developing both in the years following the injury.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect it to take weeks or, more likely, months to retain the brain following a severe concussion.