Dealing with Memory Loss After a Brain Injury

Dealing with Memory Loss After a Brain Injury

I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara brain injury lawyer. For those who know someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury, dealing with the aftermath of the injury can often be more challenging than the injury itself. This is because a brain injury can lead to multitude complications, such as traumatic seizure disorders. Perhaps the biggest complication is memory loss.

The Difference Between Anterograde and Retrograde Memory Loss

For those wondering what a traumatic brain injury is, this is an injury of the brain itself as a result of an acute force. Before discussing the impacts of memory loss, also called amnesia, it is important to define the different types of memory loss that someone suffering a head or brain injury can struggle with.

Retrograde Memory Loss: This is the kind of memory loss that most people have seen portrayed in TV shows or movies. Retrograde memory loss refers to patients forgetting memories of events that happened in the past as a result of a head injury, possibly caused by bone fractures or a fractured skull. For example, a patient suffering retrograde memory loss may forget his or her wedding day or the birth of a child, despite the magnitude of these events.

Anterograde Memory Loss: In this type of memory loss, patients lose the ability to form new memories. For example, if a patient goes on a vacation after his or her traumatic brain injury, they may not remember this vacation shortly after because the injury inhibits their ability to form new memories. On the other hand, the patient may remember memories that they had formed prior to the injury, perhaps a wedding or the birth of a child. People should be aware of brain injury symptoms after a car accident.

Of course, it is possible for patients to suffer a combination of both types of memory loss and functional loss associated with brain injuries. While there are many different types of brain injuries, there are a few tips that people should keep in mind when working or living with someone who is suffering from memory loss.

Remember, the Patient Knows They are Struggling

Unlike forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, these patients almost always know that they are struggling to deal with memory loss. Therefore, they do not need to be reminded that they have memory loss. People who live or work with people struggling with traumatic injuries know not to remind people about their injuries. Memory loss is no different. Do not focus on the impairment. Instead, try to focus on helping the individual.

Remain Patient

When people are talking to patients who have suffered a brain injury leading to memory loss, it can take longer to communicate a point in a conversation because there are extra reminders that need to be triggered before moving forward. This takes some extra time; however, patients will appreciate the gesture. All this takes is a little patience and this patience will go a long way in building up the emotional health and happiness of everyone involved. It can even help improve the rehabilitation after traumatic brain injuries.

Keep the Patient Mentally Active

When dealing with memory loss, it is important for patients to exercise their mind. The mind is an organ just like any other and needs to be kept in shape. Try to make sure the patient socializes regularly, gets outside on a daily basis, and works on mentally stimulating activities. These could include logic puzzles, crossword puzzles, or actual puzzles. Anything exercising the mind is a good idea for rehabilitation after traumatic injuries.

Santa Barbara Brain Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara Brain Injury Lawyer. Trying to deal with memory loss is an uphill battle and nobody should have to do it alone. If you, or someone you care about, has suffered a brain injury, please contact me at (805) 372-0200 for friendly, free advice. I also have a toll-free line available at (800) 404-5400.

I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum in the state of California. We are a group of top-rated trial attorneys in the country. Members of the forum have won million-dollar verdicts.

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