The traumatized brain A family guide to understanding mood, memory, and behavior after brain injury

Vani Rao, 1958-

Book - 2015

"A traumatic brain injury is a life-changing event, affecting an individual's lifestyle, ability to work, relationships-even personality. Whatever caused it-car crash, work accident, sports injury, domestic violence, combat-a severe blow to the head results in acute and, often, lasting symptoms. People with brain injury benefit from understanding, patience, and assistance in recovering their bearings and functioning to their full abilities. In The Traumatized Brain, neuropsychiatrists Drs. Vani Rao and Sandeep Vaishnavi - experts in helping people heal after head trauma - explain how traumatic brain injury, whether mild, moderate, or severe, affects the brain. They advise readers on how emotional symptoms such as depression, anxie...ty, mania, and apathy can be treated; how behavioral symptoms such as psychosis, aggression, impulsivity, and sleep disturbances can be addressed; and how cognitive functions like attention, memory, executive functioning, and language can be improved. They also discuss headaches, seizures, vision problems, and other neurological symptoms of traumatic brain injury. By stressing that symptoms are real and are directly related to the trauma, Rao and Vaishnavi hope to restore dignity to people with traumatic brain injury and encourage them to ask for help. Each chapter incorporates case studies and suggestions for appropriate medications, counseling, and other treatments, and ends with targeted tips for coping." -- Publisher's description.

Saved in:

2nd Floor Show me where

617.481/Rao
1 / 1 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
2nd Floor 617.481/Rao Checked In
Subjects
Published
Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press 2015.
Language
English
Main Author
Vani Rao, 1958- (author)
Other Authors
Sandeep Vaishnavi, 1973- (author), Peter V. Rabins (writer of preface)
Physical Description
xiii, 201 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages [189]-[185]) and index.
ISBN
9781421417950
  • 0. Foreword, by Peter V. Rabins
  • 0. Acknowledgments
  • 0. Introduction
  • 0. Part I
  • 1. The\Inner Workings of the Brain
  • 2. The\Structure of the Brain
  • 3. Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
  • 4. Influences on Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury
  • 0. Part II
  • 5. Depression
  • 6. Anxiety
  • 7. Mania
  • 8. Apathy
  • 0. Part III
  • 9. Psychosis
  • 10. Aggression
  • 11. Impulsivity
  • 12. Sleep Disturbances
  • 0. Part IV
  • 13. Attention
  • 14. Memory
  • 15. Executive Function
  • 16. Language
  • 0. Part V
  • 17. Headaches
  • 18. Seizures
  • 19. Vision
  • 0. Epilogue
  • 0. Glossary
  • 0. Resources
  • 0. Suggested Reading
  • 0. Index
Review by Booklist Review

Neuropsychiatrists Rao and Vaishnavi authoritatively explain how traumatic injuries hurt the brain (a lot). Better yet, they talk about how families can handle behavior changes, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and other complications caused by car accidents, falls, battle injuries, and blows to the head during sports. Emotional support from family and friends helps injured people rest and may also help the brain recover. A regular schedule, with plenty of sleep, is important, too. The authors include many tips for people suffering from various issues (memory problems and apathy) and discuss potentially helpful medications and their side effects. This excellent guide provides essential information and great comfort and advice for families with loved ones who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. A healthy brain, after all, is priceless; it houses our sense of self and is in many ways the conductor, the maestro, coordinating the orchestra of the body. --Springen, Karen Copyright 2015 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review

This accessible book, which provides an overview of the biology and consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI), begins with an introduction of brain function that helps readers understand the later chapters. It then explains the various types of TBI, and from there the authors, both neuropsychiatrists, offer general comments about the factors that can contribute to recovery from such an injury. Those opening segments frame the focus on TBI's various symptoms and effects, including depression, apathy, anxiety, and impulsivity, which will help TBI sufferers understand their behavior as well as learn about effective coping strategies and treatment options. Each of the chapters includes an insightful case study, which makes the material more practical and brings the clinical discussion into focus. Individuals who have experienced a TBI, as well as their families, will find this book useful and comforting, both for its clear explanations and its clinical guidance. VERDICT A well-done and medically centric book intended for patients and their families seeking to understand and get help in the wake of TBI.-Aaron Klink, Duke Univ., Durham, NC © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.