Most people can sense what someone is feeling by analyzing their body language, facial expressions, and language. In addition to recognizing emotions, people can also share the emotions of someone else. For example, if you are around someone who is sad, you may pick up on this feeling and start to feel unhappy as well. This is known as empathy, and it’s a vital skill that everyone should master. But sadly, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can severely affect your ability to empathize with others. A lack of empathy can impact your personal relationships by making it harder to connect with and understand others. Fortunately, there are a number of possible solutions for TBI victims experiencing a lack of empathy.
Empathy Education
Researchers believe that healthcare providers should prepare victims and their families for the emotional consequences of TBIs. Help them understand that they may start to experience a lack of empathy and explain why this occurs. Most importantly, make sure they understand that treatment is available. Encourage them to seek help if they experience a lack of empathy so they can address the problem as quickly as possible.
Emotional Expression
Healthcare providers should also advise family members to speak more openly and honestly about their emotions. TBI victims may not pick up on subtle emotional cues, so family members should not wait for them to pick up on a bad mood. Instead, family members should help TBI victims clearly understand the emotions they are feeling by openly expressing them. Doing this may alleviate some of the strain that a lack of empathy can put on personal relationships.
Evaluate Emotional Recognition and Empathy
Healthcare providers that know how to properly evaluate a TBI victim’s emotional recognition and empathy may be able to help them improve these crucial skills. The key is talking to family members to learn how well the victim recognized emotions and empathized with others prior to the injury. This helps doctors understand how much the victim’s skills have changed as a result of the TBI. This information can be used to create a custom treatment plan and set personalized goals for each patient. Doctors often involve family members in treatment so they can help the victim learn how to respond to their loved ones’ various emotions.
Each TBI is unique, so there’s no way to say with certainty that these treatment methods will work for every TBI victim. But, these solutions offer hope that help is available to TBI victims and their families.
Have you sustained a traumatic brain injury? If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, Martin Gasparian can help. Mr. Gasparian will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Schedule a free consultation regarding your case by calling 559-203-3333 or submitting your information at MaisonLaw.com.
