Most people have heard of amnesia, and know it’s when you can’t remember an event. However, after a person has suffered a head injury, they may behave strangely. This can mean they don’t remember events of that day, and may forget things in a short space of time. This is post traumatic amnesia or PTA. It can give an initial indication of the severity of the injury depending on how long this confused state continues for. If it’s less than an hour, it’s likely to be a mild brain injury. But if it continues for 24 hours or more, it is a sign it could be a severe injury.
Not much is know about post traumatic amnesia, there isn’t much medical staff can do to treat it. (They’re not miracle workers, even though at times they do get pretty close.) It’s a process the brain has to go through to start the recovery process. This is well documented, and fairly well accepted across the medical field.
So I’m still puzzled by how many survivors find some doctors are reluctant to confirm their patient has a brain injury. I accept that the treatment one can expect is, at best, limited. But surely it helps the patient and their loved ones, better understand and cope with the affects?
During my 10 days in hospital, everyday a lady would come to do some tests with me. And every time she gave me the same 4 words to remember, before changing the subject for a minute. Those words were church, red, horse, velvet. Not once in the entire time I was there did I correctly recall the given words. And I think only once did I remember being asked to complete the task before. That’s just a 10% hit rate at best! But despite this, I was sent home without anyone even trying to explain to me or my partner what my condition was.
I’m not sure how long the post traumatic amnesia continued for, but it felt like ages. It must have been several months. My partner James, would find he had to have the same conversations with me again and again, because I just wouldn’t remember.
But he managed, and so here are my tips on how to cope when someone has post traumatic amnesia:
- Try to give the patient frequent breaks. This will lessen the chances of them becoming overwhelmed. You can easily say you are going to the toilet, or getting a drink so they don’t think you are just abandoning them.
- Pictures or written information can help by giving them something visual to refer to.
- It can be tiresome when you feel you are having to keep covering the same topics. So make sure you give yourself a break too. Otherwise you might let your frustration show, and accidentally hurt the patients feelings. They are trying.
- Too much stimulation such as noise and light can quickly overwhelm someone with post traumatic amnesia. So consider the environment you are in, and switch off any unnecessary distractions.
- They may become augmentative and not be able to see an alternative point of view. Try to remain calm ( I know this is easier said than done.) Changing the subject might be the only option. Rigid thinking can be common amongst brain injury survivors, so it’s probably better to accept you won’t win them over and avoid the stress.
- Reduce pressure for them to remember things. Try not to ask them to recall things too much, as it will cause distress.
- During this period they need supervision to keep them safe. They might forget to turn the oven or hob off if you let them cook alone for example. Instead, if they want to, do tasks together.
- Even when PTA is over, the patient is likely to still experience memory problems. When they forget it’s your anniversary try to go easy on them.
For more detailed information about post traumatic amnesia, this document by The Royal Melbourne Hospital is pretty good.
4 replies on “Coping with post traumatic amnesia from brain injury”
Overstimulation is a HUGE problem for people with a TBI. Even years later, I found myself having to back off from certain situations. Or having to not do more than one, MAYBE two things a day. Setting and sticking to a reduced amount of things makes a difference. I hated having to do that, but it’s one of the life changes I’ve had to make.
Yes my life is different now for the same reason. Everything takes more planning to try to avoid peak times.
I had no memory for a month……I am asking questions on and off for over 3 years. I can’t accept the fact I don’t remember anything. and it worries me a lot. I don’t know how to get past this brain injury and I know I won’t. I am ruining my relationship with family………..
I’m sorry you’re so distressed and I can understand why. Perhaps there are strategies you can use to help you; such as apps, white board etc. Try not to be so hard on yourself, it’s not your fault. The more stressed you get the harder it is for your brain to cope. But I’m sure you already know that. Stay strong.