Traumatic Brain Injury and Women
When you think about traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and catastrophic accidents you might tend to think of rambunctious teenage boys or young adult men looking to explore adulthood. There are three other populations that are affected by these traumatic experiences: children (0-4 years old), the elderly (65 and older) and women. Males are at least twice as likely to experience a TBI as women; however the Centers for Disease Control has reported that over the last 10 years there has been a 20% increase in reported TBIs in women[1]. It is important to recognize that a woman’s recovery needs may be different in several areas to that of a man after experiencing an injury. The research has identified some areas of recovery outcomes for women that are different from men. These areas are role changes with the family system, social and emotional functioning.
Women who are in traditional and non-traditional family roles have several challenges to face during the recovery process. Women in a family system tend to be the primary source of emotional support for the family. Many are primary caregivers for children and support for elderly family members. Some do all of this and also assist in financial support for the family. When a traumatic accident happens, these roles have to be filled by husbands/significant others or other family members. It can be very difficult on children who are used to having their needs met by their mothers.
Women have some different social challenges to consider. Social isolation following a TBI can include the withdrawal from a community group (i.e., upper class society, PTO mother or community volunteer), the invisibility of cognitive disability, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, difficulties in employment and transportation. Society has often defined social roles and norms for gender. Women have typically needed to work especially hard to achieve social status. After a woman has experienced a TBI, it can be hard to find a place in society where disability is accepted. Single women tend to become isolated from mainstream women’s support networks and social activities to include dating opportunities[2].
Emotional functioning is an area that includes post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of self- esteem, anxiety, depression, anger and shame. The recovery process is very difficult with successes and struggles allowing for a variety of emotions. Many women struggle with gaining back the feelings of femininity and womanhood after such an injury. Sometimes these feelings are intertwined with past or future goals of becoming a parent and how a TBI will affect those goals. This struggle elicits feelings of isolation, anger, shame and humiliation[3].
NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best accomplished in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourage, assist and support each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to increase function and independence. NeuLife seeks to achieve, for all of its clients, maximized, sustained outcomes that exceed the expectations of all persons served.
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is a fully accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic amputations and other catastrophic injuries.
2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
[1] “Rates of TBI-related Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths by Sex — United States, 2001–2010” http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/data/rates_bysex.html
[2] Debjani Mukherjee, Judy Panko Reis, Wendy Heller “Women Living with Traumatic Brain Injury: Social Isolation, Emotional Functioning and Implications for Psychotherapy,” Women & Therapy, 26, ½ (2003): 3-26
[3] Debajni Mikherjee, “Women Living with Traumatic Brain Injury: Social Isolation, Emotional Functioning and Implications for Psychotherapy”
