PTSD -Brain Injuries

March 19, 2012

Paul Murphy

Via email

Thunder Bay, ON

Re: To whom it may concern

Dear Paul:

As requested, please find below the information requested on the impact of an acquired brain injury, on an individual in terms of “executive function” of the brain.  Cognition & memory, ability to concentrate, “Gatekeeper” on behaviour (judgment & inhibition), personality & emotional traits, planning, sequencing & organizing, short-term & long-term memory and self-awareness can all be affected.  Insight into these limitations and awareness to regulate oneself to make good choices and decisions can be severely impacted.  Following through on items with timelines can be severely compromised if the individual does not have support.  The same can apply when someone is also suffering from a mental illness either co-occurring with a brain injury or independent of a brain injury.  Agreeing to inaccurate details, not understanding the implications and consequences of bad choices or sharing false information can all be the outcome of an acquired brain injury.  It does not excuse bad behaviour, however, when brought to the attention of the individual in question and they subsequently gain insight into the error in judgment the situation can be corrected. I have also attached a Power Point presentation I prepared for my employees about the similarities.  It should be further noted that either individuals with these limitations often require support to complete these more complex tasks.  All local programs have waiting lists and services are often priorized by urgency and acuity. 

Should you require any further information they are free to call me at (number removed).

Sincerely yours

BISNO
Brain Injury Support Network Ontario