About brain injury

An acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury caused to the brain since birth. There are many possible causes, including a fall, a road accident, tumour and stroke.

This section gives an overview of the brain, brain injury and the practical issues that can arise. 

It is divided into sections for individuals who are affected by brain injury, professionals who work in the field of brain injury, and further information about brain injury. 

Information for individuals

Find out about how acquired brain injury affects survivors, family members, carers and the people around them. We provide information to help at the different stages of brain injury, from hospital to home. 

Types of brain injury

Acquired brain injury can have a number of different causes. Some of the most common types of brain injury include:

Effects of brain injury

A brain injury can lead to a wide range of effects. While many people recover quickly after a minor head injury (often known as concussion), this is not always the case and people may experience longer-term effects. 

The more severe the brain injury, the longer-term and more pronounced the effects are likely to be. Some people may spend time in a coma, or experience a more prolonged reduced awareness state. During the early stages of recovery, brain injury survivors often go through a stage called Post-traumatic amnesia, where they have no continuous memory of day-to-day events and their behaviour may be very uncharacteristic and confused. 

A brain injury can cause behavioural and emotional changes, hormonal imbalances, difficulties with cognition and memory, a range of communication problems, physical effects and, very commonly, fatigue. 

Hospital treatment and early recovery after brain injury

The time immediately after the injury is bound to be full of worry and uncertainty for everyone concerned.

We provide information on the different stages of recovery, from the time in the hospital and early rehabilitation through to discharge. Families may be able to access a grant to help with the unexpected costs of brain injury by applying to our Emergency Fund. 

You can also set up a page on our I'm calling about Chris website to post updates on your loved one's situation and allow family and friends to keep up-to-date. They can also access our information that explains how to support a family that is dealing with brain injury. 

Rehabilitation and continuing care after brain injury

Rehabilitation aims to help the brain learn alternative ways of working in order to minimise the long-term impact of the brain injury. Rehabilitation also helps the survivor and the family to cope successfully with any remaining disabilities.

In this section you can find out more about what brain injury rehabilitation involves, and get information on the rehabilitation team that you will be working with. 

After the initial phase of rehabilitation is complete, you may require continuing care, and want to find out about ways you can self-direct your support. 

Practical issues after brain injury

A brain injury can lead to a wide range of difficulties in day-to-day life. For many people, a priority may be to seek financial support. This could involve getting legal advice to pursue compensation, applying for welfare benefits or applying for a grant from the Headway Emergency Fund. 

In the longer-term, many brain injury survivors may want to return to driving, or get back to work or education. 

They may also qualify for a Brain injury identity card, which is designed to provide brain injury survivors with added confidence in everyday social scenarios, and ensure they get the right support if they come into contact with the police. 

Relationships after brain injury

For some people, the emotional, behavioural, physical and cognitive changes of brain injury can have an impact on existing and future relationships.

We explain how a brain injury effects relationships, with further information for partners and friends. We also provide in-depth information on an often overlooked issue - the affect of brain injury on sex and sexuality. 

There is also useful information to help people with brain injury to cope with parenting and supporting children. 

Information library

You can browse our full range of free booklets and factsheets in the information library. 

Brain injury and me 

Brain injury and me is an innovative and exciting website that raises awareness of brain injury through personal stories.  

The Living with brain injury section contains a wide range of practical advice, incorporating the experiences and views of survivors and carers. 

You can find the information you need using the menu or the quick links below. If you can't find what you are looking for or have any more questions, please contact our helpline.

 

Individuals

The information in this section is designed for people who have sustained a brain injury, their family members and carers.

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Professionals

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Further information

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Brain injury and me

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Effects of brain injury

Find out about some of the main difficulties that arise after brain injury, together with some suggestions as to how to deal with them.

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Information library

Headway's range of e-booklets and factsheets cover many of the symptoms and practical issues associated with a brain injury.

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Hospital treatment and early recovery

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Relationships after brain injury

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Caring

If you are caring for someone with a brain injury or have a relative being treated in hospital, this section will help you to meet the challenges ahead and find the support you need.

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Legal advice

Information and resources to help you claim compensation after a brain injury.

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Statistics

Using hospital admissions statistics, Headway has compiled a dataset on all ABI-related hospital admissions in the UK.

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About the brain

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