Psychological impact of traumatic brain injury Dr. Michael Sorsdahl, CD, PhD (Education), CCC, RCC, GCDFi Psychological impact of traumatic brain injury

Fallout from traumatic brain injury Injured Cognitive deficits Trauma symptoms (PTSD/PTSR/PTSI) Transition issues Family Vicarious trauma Compassion fatigue Burnout Community

The Reality of Trauma, Vicarious/Secondary Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Burnout.

PTSD/PTSR/PTSI

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD is a set of diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5 Exposure to traumatic event Existence of intrusive symptoms Avoidance of traumatic triggers Changes in mood or thoughts due to trauma Reactions and arousal changes due to trauma Is distressing, causing problems, and lasts more than a month

Symptoms are a normal reaction to an abnormal event Post traumatic injury / post traumatic reaction / post traumatic injury Even if criteria not met, exposure to traumatic events can be problematic This is where Post traumatic stress injury and post traumatic stress reaction have been used PTSD/ptsr/ptsi do not just occur to military members/veterans, these symptoms can occur to anyone This includes experiences such as mv accidents, sexual assault, victims of violence Symptoms are a normal reaction to an abnormal event

Vicarious Trauma

Vicarious/secondary trauma Natural consequential behaviour through knowledge of a traumatizing event through helping Results from exposure to traumatic material of another person and empathic caring, which creates cognitive, affective, and relational changes. Similar symptoms to PTSD, and can be just as problematic to functioning

Compassion Fatigue

Result of a depletion of internal emotional resources State of tension and preoccupation with traumatized persons due to events disclosed or through helping (empathy) Deep physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion with emotional pain. Result of a depletion of internal emotional resources Symptoms: Difficulty sleeping Startle response Obtrusive thoughts and images of trauma clients/people Diminished capacity for intimacy, listening, communication, or sense of career purpose Loss of confidence, ineffective self-soothing, lower functioning level, loss of hope, dread of working with some people. Compassion fatigue

Burn Out

Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment Ultimately where perceived demands of the job (personal or professional) outweigh the resources to do it. Burnout

Transition Issues Accepting the “new normal” Resistance through wanting life to be as it was or different than it is Negative coping strategies Bing/overeating Alcohol/drugs Anger/frustrations Isolation Distracting Giving up Depression/anxiety

What helps? Increasing relational resources and support Create protective factors to address needed self-care Counselling/coaching Community resources

Questions