Getting Help After a Second Brain Injury

Once you get a brain injury, it actually increases your likelihood of getting a second injury. That's why it's so important to get a "snapshot" of your brain through neuropsychological — or cognitive — testing. Evaluating the brain's functioning allows people to see what areas of the brain have been affected, and what areas remain strong. Most of the testing relies on verbal or written responses, but several measures rely on other information sources. The testing could take hours or even days to complete. Following the completion and scoring of the tests, a licensed neuropsychologist will present patients with a full report that details the brain's many different areas. You'll be able to see where brain functioning is normal, and where it may fall outside of normal limits.

When a person gets a complete neuropsychological evaluation, it can act as a baseline standard against any future changes.

In the case of a second head injury, you should contact your prior treatment center and ask for any records that may include previous cognitive testing. Once you have these records, you can then take them to a neuropsychologist, who will help you determine any differences that may have resulted from a second brain injury.

When cognitive testing is conducted by a licensed neuropsychologist, the report should also include a specific recommendation for the treatment of any impairments discovered. You can then use that document to pursue a specific course of care, which may include rehabilitation options, therapeutic assistance, or medical management.

As you age, you might also experience changes in brain function. If you find that you seem to be experiencing new challenges many years after a brain injury, it's a good idea to request an updated neuropsychological test, so you can determine if additional care may be helpful.