On this page you can find information on many aspects of brain injury.
These information sheets have been written by Headway UK, after talking to experts, adults with an ABI and their families.
- Introduction
- Section 1: About brain injury
- Section 2: The physical impacts of ABI
- Section 3: Cognitive and emotional aspects of ABI
- Section 4: Welfare, benefits and the law
- Useful links and other organisations
Introduction
For many people after a brain injury, there appear to be no lasting effects from their injury. For others a head injury can cause complex disability.
The effects of cognitive, executive and psychological deficits are, unlike those of a physical disability, often not visible. This ‘invisible’ disability confounds many people because often they lack the relevant knowledge and experience. Headway UK (our parent organisation) seeks to address this with information services, campaigns and liaison with professionals at the local level.
Some of the long term effects of a brain injury can be:
- Changes in personality and behaviour
- Poor concentration
- Irritability and disinhibition
- Difficulties with memory and attention
- Epilepsy
- Poor planning, organisational and problem-solving skills
- Impaired mobility
- Inability to handle money
- Sensory problems
- Altered perception of self and world around them
- Inability to understand and communicate
- Often a lack of awareness of what has changed
- Lack of initiative and motivation
- Emotional difficulties, such as depression and anxiety
You can learn more about all this using the Headway UK information sheets (PDFs) provided on this page.
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Section 1: About brain injury
To download the information in PDF format just click on the relevant link.
Post-traumatic Growth After Brain Injury
Rehabilitation After Brain Injury
Waiting For Rehabilitation After Brain Injury
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Section 2: The physical impact of ABI
To download the information in PDF format just click on the relevant link.
Alcohol After Brain Injury – Tips for Families
Balance Problems & Dizziness After Brain Injury
Coma & Reduced Awareness States
Coma Stimulation – Suggested Activities
Continence Problems After Brain Injury
Dysphagia (Swallowing Problems) After Brain Injury
Mild Head Injury Discharge Advice – Adults
Scans & Tests After Brain Injury
Sleep Problems After Brain Injury
Taste & Smell Problems After Brain Injury
Visual Problems After Brain Injury
Weakness Or Paralysis (One-sided) After Brain Injury
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Section 3: Cognitive and emotional aspects of ABI
To download the information in PDF format just click on the relevant link.
A Guide To The Mental Capacity Act
Executive Disfunction After Brain Injury
Face Blindness (Prosopagnosia) After Brain Injury
Insight & Awareness After Brain Injury
Memory Problems After Brain Injury
Mental Capacity – Supporting Decision Making After Brain Injury
Psychological Effects Of Brain Injury
Redeveloping Skills After Brain Injury
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Section 4: Welfare, benefits and the law
To download the information in PDF format just click on the relevant link
Appealing A Welfare Benefits Decision
Assessment & Funding Of Care After Brain Injury
Attendance Allowance After Brain Injury
Carers’ Allowance After Brain Injury
Case Management After Brain Injury
Claiming Compensation After Brain Injury
Communication Problems After Brain Injury
Completing Welfare Benefit Applications
Disabled Facilities Grants After Brain Injury
Discrimination After Brain Injury
Employment & Support Allowance After Brain Injury
Insurance Policies After Brain Injury
Making A Complaint Against Health & Social Care Services
Personal Independence Payments After Brain Injury
Personal Injury Trusts After Brain Injury
Preparing For Welfare Benefits Assessements – Tips For Brain Injury Survivors
Safeguarding After Brain Injury
Statutory Sick Pay After Brain Injury
The Equality Act – A Guide For Brain Injury Survivors
Understanding Brain Injury In The Criminal Justice System
Universal Credit After Brain Injury
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Useful links and other organisations
These organisations may also be able to help you.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: find a local group to help with alcohol – https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
- Brain Tumour Support - https://www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/
- The Brain Tumour Support Charity – https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/
- Changes: support in mental health – https://www.changes.org.uk
- Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke on Trent: advice on all topics – https://www.snscab.org.uk/
- Community Directories: https://staffordshire.simplyconnect.uk/ and https://stokecommunitydirectory.co.uk/
- Counsellling Directory: find a counsellor to support yor in person or online – https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/
- Disability Solutions West Midlands: all round advice and support – https://disabilitysolutions.org.uk/
- The Dove Service: bereavement counselling – https://thedoveservice.org.uk/
- Gingerbread: help for lone parents – https://gingerbreadcentre.co.uk/
- Motability: helping disabled people get out and about – https://www.motability.co.uk/
- New Era: support for victims – https://www.new-era.uk/
- North Staffs Carers: advice, support and activities for carers of all ages – https://www.carersfirst.com/
- Parkinson’s UK – https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
- Relate: relationship counselling. – https://www.relate.org.uk/centre/north-staffordshire.
- RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf) – https://rnid.org.uk/
- RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) – https://www.rnib.org.uk/
- Staffordshire Womens Service sexual violence project – https://staffordshirewomensaid.org/get-help/survive-sexual-assault-and-abuse-service/.
- Stroke Association: the national organization – https://www.stroke.org.uk/
- Strokes R Us (Stoke): a local group – https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/clubs-and-groups/strokes-r-us-stoke
- Longton Stroke Support Group: a local group – https://www.stroke.org.uk/finding-support/clubs-and-groups/longton-stroke-support-group
- Victim Support: help for victims of crime – https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/staffordshire/
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