Summary of Issue
- Social Isolation: Individuals with TBI often experience reduced social interactions due to cognitive, physical, and emotional changes.
- Stigma and Misunderstanding: Lack of awareness around TBI can lead to exclusion, discomfort, or judgment from others.
- Impact on Recovery: Disconnection can slow emotional and cognitive recovery and negatively affect long-term outcomes.
Introduction
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can alter the course of a person’s life – affecting memory, mood, communication, and mobility. Alongside the physical and cognitive challenges comes an often overlooked but deeply felt consequence: social disconnection. Many people with TBI report losing friendships, feeling isolated, or struggling to find a place in social settings. However, research and lived experience show that social connection is not only possible after a TBI – it’s critical to healing, resilience, and overall well-being.
Why the Barrier Exists
- Cognitive and Emotional Changes: TBIs may affect impulse control, emotional regulation, memory, and communication, all of which can impact relationships.
- Fatigue and Sensory Sensitivities: Many survivors find social environments overwhelming or exhausting, which can limit participation.
- Stigma and Misunderstanding: Invisible symptoms of TBI can lead to unfair judgments or exclusion from peers and community members.
- Loss of Social Roles: Returning to work, sports, or social activities may be delayed or not possible, reducing regular points of contact with others.
Stat Spotlight: According to the 2023 Canadian Social Connection Survey, over 60% of individuals with acquired brain injuries report moderate to severe feelings of loneliness – highlighting the urgent need for inclusive connection opportunities.
Recommended Solutions
- Create Predictable Social Routines: Regular check-ins with friends or attending recurring group events can offer consistency and comfort.
- Build TBI-Aware Communities: Educate friends, family, and community members about TBI to reduce stigma and increase understanding.
- Participate in Peer Support Groups: Connecting with others who have experienced a TBI can foster belonging and mutual support.
- Use Technology Thoughtfully: Video calls, text groups, or social apps can offer lower-stimulation ways to stay connected.
- Pace Social Engagements: Understand and honour personal limits – short, meaningful interactions are just as valuable as long ones.
Expert Insight
A study published in NeuroRehabilitation (2018) found that social participation was one of the strongest predictors of quality of life in individuals living with a TBI. Another study in Brain Injury (2021) emphasized that consistent social support post-TBI is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety, and improved recovery outcomes over time.
Community Resources / Solutions
- Brain Injury Canada
Supports individuals and families through education, advocacy, and community programs.
www.braininjurycanada.ca
- March of Dimes Canada – After Stroke and ABI Programs
Offers peer support, group activities, and recovery resources.
www.marchofdimes.ca
- LoveYourBrain Foundation
Provides mindfulness-based programming and community support for people with TBI.
www.loveyourbrain.com
- GenWell Project
Canada’s Human Connection Movement, offering campaigns, tips, and resources to help people rebuild and sustain meaningful social connections.
www.GenWell.ca
Further Reading
- Social Skills After Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | MSKTC – The article explains what social skills are, how they are affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI), and provides practical strategies for individuals and their supporters to improve social communication and connection after injury.
- Research — LoveYourBrain – A page dedicated to highlighting published studies on the benefits of yoga, meditation, and community programs for individuals affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- The Role of Social Support in Coping with Psychological Trauma: An Integrated Biopsychosocial Model for Posttraumatic Stress Recovery – PMC – This research offers a holistic framework that highlights how interpersonal coping influences individual healing after trauma.