Resources for sleep problems

Sleep problems frequently occur following brain injury. I was able to restore my normal sleep patterns with neurofeedback, acupuncture, sensory integration therapy AND without the use of medications. I am 7 years post brain aneurysm rupture, brain surgery, a recent car accident and concussion and have successfully restored my quality of life.

If you have brain trauma, there is a good chance that your memory has been affected – and perhaps more severely than you realize. Because of the trauma you’ve endured, the brain is “locked” into a pattern that started in the hospital. In the hospital, you were probably awakened every hour, two hours, four hours as part of the treatment. This pattern of waking is still “trapped” in your brain. Your body doesn’t have the memory of what a “normal” sleep pattern is, so this is something you have to relearn. But this isn’t something you can teach yourself. You need to find the therapies that will allow you to “break out of the pattern” and start to heal the trauma you’ve endured.

For further explanation, please visit: http://www.greatbrain.com/ (this also explains how neurofeedback can help)

The following sentences (although they don’t “flow” very well) contain “key words” that I would encourage you to research. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that is responsible for regulating sleep. Hormones play an important role in regulating brain function as well. Circadian rhythms are essentially the body’s clock. Brain trauma can disrupt circadian rhythms.

What can you do to “normalize” sleep?

1. Find a neuro endocrinologist who can order the tests listed in this research article: http://pituitary.mgh.harvard.edu/NCBV11I2.htm

2. Find a neurologist who specializes in brain injury AND neurofeedback, have a QEEG to find out what brain wave abnormalities you might have, and have neurofeedback. For information about how this treatment can help with sleep, please visit: http://www.isnr.org/information/sleep.cfm

3. Find an acupuncturist and start treatment. For information about how this treatment can help with sleep, please visit: http://www.yinyanghouse.com/treatments/insomnia_treatment_cam_research

4. Ask your primary care physician to test your Vitamin D levels – both 25 OH and 1,25. You need Vitamin D (it’s actually a hormone) to help regulate your sleep. You should also get 15 minutes of sun exposure per day. For more information, please visit: http://www.womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/vitamind.aspx

5. Find out if you have sensory integration issues. An occupational therapist who specializes in this area might be of some help. Tomatis therapy may also help. http://www.tomatis.com/

6. Here is a good website for resource information on sleep issues: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm.
Tips for getting a good night’s sleep are listed at the bottom.

The web sites I have listed are for informational purposes only and are not an endorsement.

You might “google” the key words I have mentioned and find out more information.If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email. lifelinesbi@sbcglobal.net.

Resources for depression

 General information about brain injury

Traumatic Brain Injury Survival Guide
http://www.tbiguide.com/index.html

Coping with Depression after Traumatic Brain Injury
http://www.biausa.org/elements/BIAM/2004/depression.pdf

 Is it really clinical depression? What are the other possibilities?
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB....asp?Doi=97577

 Labeled as depression. Could it be something else, e.g. adrenal insufficiency or other hormonal changes caused by brain injury?
http://pituitary.mgh.harvard.edu/NCBV11I2.htm

 Are anti depressants right for everyone?
http://www.bgs.org.uk/Publications/Publication%20Downloads/ABI-Appendix4.doc
http://www.icms.com.au/braininjury/abstract/336.htm

 Has my vestibular system been affected?
http://www.backgroundfacts.com/menieres/COGDIS.htm

 Alternative therapies that can possibly relieve depression

Neurofeedback
http://www.brainhealer.com/specialties_depression.html
http://www.neurofeedbackholiday.com/depression.htm

Tomatis or another type of Listening Therapy (for vestibular dysfunction)
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/TOMATIS.html


Acupuncture
http://www.heall.com/body/altmed/treatment/disease/psychological/depression/acupuncturehelpsdepression.html


 Depression as unexpressed anger
http://www.coping.org/anger/depress.htm

Next meeting: November 12, 2007

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Support Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas


The November meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 12th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

We will have a group discussion on Affirmations for Discovery. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

Affirmation: 1. The act of affirming or the state of being affirmed; assertion.
2. Something declared to be true; a positive statement or judgment.

Discovery: 1 a: to make known or visible. 2 a: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time : find b: find out intransitive verb: to make a discovery

D - Discover - I can discover new directions in my life.

I - Inventory - I accept my strengths and weaknesses.

S - Support - I am made stronger by giving and receiving support.

C - Coping Skills - I am developing new strategies to live with limits.

O - Opportunity - I am finding opportunities for growth after brain injury.

V - Victory - I am building my self esteem through daily victories.

E - Empowerment - I am empowered to improve my skills and make wise choices.

R - Restoration/Resources - I am finding resources that enhance my quality of life.

Y - Your Spiritual Choice - I am strengthened by my spirituality.

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (kaikman1@sbcglobal.net) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

***The main entrance to the hospital was under construction at the time of October's meeting, so be advised that entry is a bit complicated. Visit http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=&daddr=8200+Walnut+Hill+LN+Dallas,+TX+75231&iwstate1=dir:to&oi=manybox&ct=16&cd=1&resnum=1

for a map.

When turning into the campus from eastbound Walnut Hill, the best route to take may be the driveway prior to the light for the main entrance. The driveway curves away from the main entrance (direction towards North Central Expressway) and the entry to the parking lot is on the left (gated entry). The Fogelson Building has a small dome on top and is next to the Margot Perot Center.

Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom A is to the left off the elevators.

Remember that parking is now free! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting.

Neither Lifelines nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.