Fatigue, memory problems and anxiety are the most detrimental effects of brain injury to socialising
Loneliness is commonly experienced after brain injury
Almost 90% of brain injury survivors (87%) and carers (85%) feel lonely after brain injury despite never having felt lonely before the injury.
Need support?
You can talk to our nurse-led helpline team about anything, from understanding the effects of brain injury to finding the right support for you or someone you care about.
Call: 0808 800 2244 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
Email: helpline@headway.org.uk
Isolation is experienced within various social groups
83% of brain injury survivors and 69% of carers feel isolated from friends after brain injury, including those made both before and since the injury.
Just over a third of survivors (36%) and carers (35%) feel isolated from their own families
Over a third of survivors (46%) and carers (36%) feel isolated from wider society.
Isolation can be experienced even while socialising among these groups, for instance due to lack of understanding from others.
Social activity changes after brain injury
Around half of all brain injury survivors (56%) and carers (51%) are no longer socially active following brain injury, despite having been socially active pre-injury.
A third of survivors (33%) and carers (36%) who were socially active before the injury feel they have no choice over their withdrawal from socialising since the injury.
Social activity participation changes after brain injury
Almost two thirds of survivors (63%) and just under half of carers (45%) are unable to participate in the same social activities as they did pre-injury.
32% of survivors and 24% of carers are no longer invited to social events, and around a third are no longer contacted by others (38%; 31%).
Being unable to work is a significant barrier to socialising for many brain injury survivors (41%).
Social groups change after brain injury
Only around a third of brain injury survivors (31%) and carers (38%) maintain the same social circles as they did pre-injury.
Social personality changes after brain injury
58% of brain injury survivors and 35% of carers feel shy and introverted in social settings since the injury - despite regarding themselves as outgoing and confident before the injury.
Download the report
Download the full report or a short-form summary to explore the results in more detail.
Find support
We know this can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to face it alone — here’s how we can help.
From local Headway charities and volunteer led branches to our Brain Injury Identity Card, Emergency Fund, nurse-led helpline and online communities, there are many ways we can support you.
We can also help you find legal advice, care services and support near you.
Nurse-led helpline
Our nurse-led helpline is a free, confidential service for anyone affected by brain injury - whether you’re a survivor, carer, family member, or professional.
You can talk to us about anything, from understanding the effects of brain injury to finding the right support for you or someone you care about.
Call: 0808 800 2244 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
Email: helpline@headway.org.uk
Find support near you
We have a network of local services and support groups across the UK.
Find your nearest Headway service and explore the support available in your area.