What is aphasia?

Most of the folks we meet through our research and outreach had never heard of the word "aphasia" ... until it happened to them or to someone they love. As we settle into #AphasiaMonth, here is some introductory information about #aphasia from two of my favorite advocates, Dr. Roberta Elman and Carol Dow-Richards. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMsLkupV_BI&feature=youtu.be

post-stroke depression

As we transition from #StrokeMonth to #AphasiaMonth, here is a great article that talks about post-stroke depression, with a special emphasis on the unique challenges for treatment of depression in persons with aphasia. 

http://scmag-digi.strokeassociation.org/…/MobilePagedArticl…

A quote from the article: “First, post-stroke depression is real. It is not that the survivor is being lazy or unmotivated. Second, PSD needs to be treated, and typically that is with a combination of medication and individual or group therapy. Without treatment, the survivor may face prolonged hospitalizations or rehospitalizations. It can also limit the ultimate level of functional recovery and definitely compromises the survivor’s social integration.”

The silent injury

Brain injuries are often referred to as "silent injuries" and the "silent epidemic" . Click here for a good brief article about this, titled "If you don't look injured, you must be fine". 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-normal/201608/if-you-don-t-look-injured-you-must-be-fine

National Stroke Awareness Month - 40 SECONDS

A stroke happens every 40 seconds. 

Act FAST to reduce recovery time. 

#StrokeMonth 

 http://bit.ly/1Ep3i5w

 

National Stroke Awareness Month - SPREAD THE WORD

With a stroke happening, on average, every 40 seconds to someone in the U.S., chances are you know someone impacted by it. 

Honor them during National Stroke Awareness Month and check out this tool to help you decide how to take action: http://bit.ly/2p5h9de 

#StrokeMonth

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The music of recovery

In many of the activities of my lab, music plays a huge role, whether it be playing favorite songs for folks as they patiently let us load their EEG caps or while they undergo brain scanning, creating song titles in semantic feature games, NeuroChoir, and more.

I was excited to see this playlist, available to you on Spotify, that includes songs that persons of all ages with many different types of brain injury contributed, as they had some importance to them on their brain injury recovery journey.

https://www.headway.org.uk/news/national-news/2018/your-song-headways-very-own-spotify-playlist/

Listen to the songs and let us know what you think!

Depression after brain injury

We ask our participants and their caregivers about feelings of depression after stroke or other brain injury. Many times we have to provide resources because they are demonstrating signs of depression according to our questionnaires. There is much work to be done regarding depression after brain injury.

In very severe depression, people can experience suicidal ideation. Take a look at this statistic:

If you or someone you know is experiencing this, please seek help immediately.

Here is the national hotline - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255

From BIA of Oregon, here are some tips/suggestions that may also be helpful (http://www.biaoregon.org/Vets&Suicide.htm)

Those with a history of TBI and their family members shared these suggestions for people considering suicide

 

Distract yourself by:

Reaching out (to a friend or family member)

Writing in a journal

Listening to music

Playing with a pet

Going for a walk

Working on a hobby

Playing cards

Reading

 

Get involved in activities:

Go outdoors

Exercise

Spend time helping people

Talk with others

 

Get professional help:

TBI support group

Individual psychotherapy

Medication evaluation

 

Those with a history of TBI stated that before considering suicide

They felt:

Sad

Hopeless

Lonely

Frustrated

Stressed

Angry

Useless

They thought about:

Being a burden

Having failed

Losing their sense of purpose

They had difficulty:

Thinking clearly

They were misusing:

Alcohol/drugs