‘Your whole life becomes a recovery’: Experiences of young adults following acquired brain injury

Abstract

Background and aimsAn estimated 275 per 100,000 individuals (UK) sustain an acquired brain injury (ABI) requiring hospital admission. Survivors may suffer from; depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and an increased risk of suicide. Since 2015 UK admissions for head injuries have risen by 35.5 per cent with TBI considered the most common cause of disability and death in young adults aged 18–25yrs. The aim was to gain insight into the lived experience of young adults with an ABI and to consider the implications for counselling psychologists.MethodsData was collected from six participants (aged 18–30yrs) who had experienced an ABI. The focus group involved eight semi-structured questions broadly exploring the lived experience of ABI. The focus group outcomes subsequently informed in-depth individual interviews as part of an ongoing doctoral thesis.ResultsThree master themes emerged – negotiating relationships: post-traumatic growth; and experience of self in the world. Master themes comprised of eight sub-themes – relationship to self; relationship to help; creating a positive narrative; redefining goals and grabbing opportunities: seeking meaning; hidden disability; discrimination and stigma; and where do I fit?ConclusionsYoung adults with an ABI more frequently access general psychological services. To effectively work within this field, counselling psychologists should have an increased awareness of ABI and its consequences in planning services, policies and work practices.