One of My Main Problems In Relation to Functioning Issues Since My Brain Injury

Neurofatigue
Definition	Fatigue that is organically based and NOT due to excessive activity or abnormal sleep patterns.  It can emerge suddenly without warning, or after engaging in a cognitively demanding task.
Signs and Symptoms of Problems	Lack of Energy to Engage: Difficulty engaging in activities of daily living, communicating with others, or social activities. Low Arousal:  Difficulty waking up and staying awake throughout the day.  It may require auditory and tactile cueing to wake from sleep.  It may be hard to open the eyes.  Decreased Alertness:  Decreased ability to maintain mental awareness of surroundings, leading to decreased response to them.
Strategies for Survivors and Significant Others	Need to build awareness of the causes & effects of neurofatigue Help to identify early signs of fatigue (yawning, slow motion, in a “fog”, etc.). Trust others when they offer feedback about your apparent fatigue levels. Encourage conservation of energy and establish set times for rest throughout the day.  Assure the person that taking “time out” is needed and is okay. Establish a routine for bedtime/wake times. Help to break large tasks into manageable chunks-use a checklist. Do not schedule too much in one day.  Spread activities out throughout the week. Have patience and “do what you can and don’t worry about the rest” Minimize stimulation in the environment when a survivor is completing tasks.  Manage the “flood” of input (i.e. limit the number of people interacting with the individual). Consult physician to inquire about side effects of medications.  Could possibly induce drowsiness and be prescribed for later in the day. Adjust diet and exercise to facilitate a healthy lifestyle and to promote healing.  Increase water intake.