Brain Injury Functioning Issues #2

Adynamia
Definition	Low mental energy or apparent lack of will.  Not “dynamic.”
Signs and Symptoms of Problems	Trouble Initiating:  Hard to get started on things.  Difficulty Generating Thoughts/Ideas:  Run out of ideas quickly.  Do not give a lot of details in communication. Lack of Spontaneity:   Loss of “spirit.”  Others think you are not interested or are just “going through the motions.”  Face often does not show emotion.  “Poker Faced”
Strategies for Survivors and Significant Others	Do not tell the person that they are “lazy”-understand they most likely know what needs to be done, but they have difficulty getting started.  Offer support to get started. Establish “accountability contracts” with supportive others to help initiate activities Become aware of facial expression, posture, eye contact Over exaggerate emotions Provide written checklists to encourage participation Cue as needed to begin tasks, verbally or with timers/alarms Use a routine to encourage increased task anticipation
Strategies for Survivors and Significant Others	Help to break large tasks into manageable chunks Schedule tasks and encourage sticking to the scheduled due date Speak louder (reduces monotone) Prepare by using notes to help initiate conversation Use to-do lists, timers, watches, beepers, and other adaptive devices to improve ability to self-initiate tasks