About Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Suffering a traumatic brain injury results in dysfunction. A wide variety of symptoms occur depending on where and how the brain has been injured.

There are many forms of brain injuries that can affect some though not others. In all cases there is a way of achieving improvement. If you can create a 1% improvement then it is an indication that it is possible to improve further. 

Despite the fact that the brain is injured and unable to function, one aspect that remains consistent in all conditions is that the circulation of the blood remains constant, sensors remain intact (though they may be partially affected) and organs are active. The concept of maintaining life is responsive so the brain has the ability to maintain all else. The exception is the emotional aspect that we are all influenced by. 

The brain is driven by the mind; the mind is the higher influence over the brain. It is the mind that we must pay attention to and not the body as the mind bears all the responsibility for driving the body to efficiency and independence.  

The construction of the brain, the particles and matter are equal. The mechanism and production of necessary cells remain active. In extreme cases, activity is more focused in one area than another. 

The active part of the brain can be influenced and trained to supply the demands of the body that are usually carried out by the injured part of the brain.

Understanding Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

At The Mind Clinic it is believed that even when the brain is injured the mind remains intact. Each individual still has comprehension in his or her own capacity.

After a traumatic brain injury the brain is still responsive to the conscious, despite its deformities, shape or size. The brain needs to be trained to become active and responsive. 

The communication that makes individuals remember how to breathe, demand food when hungry and be able to react to touch, is an indication that if a level of communication is reached, it is possible to provoke an activity that will bring thought.

All aspects can be influenced and re-trained to alter behaviour.

At The Mind Clinic individuals are instructed to re-connect the brain back to the body. This is achieved by instructing the mind. The mind instruction programme creates response, movements in limbs, speech and awareness.

When we are told that nothing can be done to improve the quality of life for our loved ones it places us in a state of turmoil and confusion. This is because often relatives have witnessed signs that give a glimmer of hope that things could change if they were only worked upon, yet views are taken lightly and not followed up as current medical understanding is that very little can be done.

At The Mind Clinic individuals are taught how to command their brain back into action and to work to re-establish neural pathways to implement changes.

The Mind Clinic’s programme for carers and relatives is an extremely important aspect of the work done with those affected by traumatic brain injury.

Instructing the mind will trigger an inner effort. To generate greater improvement, persistence and continuity are required.

Questions and Answers for Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Q.  My daughter had a TBI two years ago. She understands me but she is unable to communicate at all. They said nothing can be done but I believe that she is capable of more. What can you do to help her?

A. At The Mind Clinic we have worked with many complex cases of traumatic brain injury.

Some individuals have been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. Others have difficulty in speech, movement or response. Once individuals are given instructions to apply, reactions begin to develop where connections are made. 

New behaviour begins to emerge, the senses became more active and the body becomes more sensitive.

The more demands are placed on individuals, the more active they become. When the brain cannot deal or function naturally, the body and the emotions must make demands of the brain for the brain to become more active. 

The feeling and the sensations that individuals experience in these cases feel liberating - they become happier as if they have finally found a method of communication. The hope and the will to recover become visible. 

Exercises must be regular and must occupy the individual throughout the day for them to adopt and behave according to the demands made upon them.

In extreme brain injury cases it may be easy or natural to assume that the individual is in a vegetative state and lacks the ability to communicate. All individuals are capable of communicating by instructing and demanding a response and with constant repetition a response can be influenced. 

With patience communication will increase and progress towards improvement begins.   

Q. What can I do myself to help my brother get better? I am finding it difficult to know how to talk to him and what to say.

A. When dealing with individuals who have sustained an injury to the brain it is extremely important that your attitude towards them does not change from how it was before. Your communications must be strong, compassionate and to the point.

Talk normally whether you believe they can hear or not, whether they respond or not. Always repeat your prompts and allow time for any response, as messages take time to affect and influence.

It is extremely important to be patient, and never to become ill-tempered, or individuals will shut down immediately.

You must remember to completely detach yourself periodically. Never view this work as a burden, as adopting such an attitude will not produce results.

A ‘kind, loving, light-hearted and yet strong’ approach is the key to creating the necessary fusion to achieve results.