This volume provides, for the first time, multidisciplinary perspectives on the problem of awareness of deficits following brain injury. Such deficits may involve perception, attention, memory, language, or motor functions, and they can seriously disrupt an individual's ability to function. However, some brain-damaged patients are entirely unaware of the existence or severity of their deficits, even when they are easily noticed by others. In addressing these topics, contributors cover the entire range of neuropsychological syndromes in which problems with awareness of deficit are observed: hemiplegia and hemianopia, amnesia, aphasia, traumatic head injury, dementia, and others. On the clinical side, leading researchers delineate the implications of awareness of deficits for rehabilitation and patient management, and the role of defense mechanisms such as denial. Theoretical discussions focus on the importance of awareness disturbances for better understanding such cognitive processes as attention, consciousness, and monitoring.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides disability compensation to veterans with a service-connected injury, and to receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a veteran must submit a claim or have a claim submitted on his or her behalf. Evaluation of the Disability Determination Process for Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans reviews the process by which the VA assesses impairments resulting from traumatic brain injury for purposes of awarding disability compensation. This report also provides recommendations for legislative or administrative action for improving the adjudication of veterans' claims seeking entitlement to compensation for all impairments arising from a traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll. Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the developme

E) Rehabilitation in mainland China -- f) Rehabilitation in Hong Kong -- g) Rehabilitation in Brazil -- h) Rehabilitation in Argentina -- i) Rehabilitation in South Africa -- j) Rehabilitation in Botswana -- SECTION SEVEN Evaluation and general conclusions -- 42 Outcome measures -- 43 Avoiding bias in evaluating rehabilitation -- 44 Challenges in the evaluation of neuropsychological rehabilitation effects -- 45 Summary and guidelines for neuropsychological rehabilitation -- Index

Packed with practical tools and examples, this state-of-the-art workbook provides a holistic framework for supporting clients with acquired brain injury. Clinicians are guided to set and meet collaborative treatment goals based on a shared understanding of the strengths and needs of clients and their family members. Effective strategies are described for building skills and teaching compensatory strategies in such areas as attention, memory, executive functions, mood, and communication. Particular attention is given to facilitating the challenging process of identity change following a life-altering injury. In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the volume features 94 reproducible client handouts. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials.

Management of Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury is an up-to-the-minute, comprehensive, and useful text designed to support busy physicians, nurses, and mental health professionals working with persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families. Understanding and improving outcomes after TBI requires consideration of the effects of biomechanical forces on the brain and the interactions between the injury, the person experiencing it, and the psychosocial context in which TBI and its consequences occur. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of persons with TBI therefore is essential. Accordingly, this book presents and synthesizes the work of internationally recognized brain injury clinicians, scientists, and educators who were selected by a team of editors with backgrounds in psychiatry, neurology, psychology, and physiatry. This broad range of perspectives enhances understanding and provides nuanced yet practical information on the neuropsychiatric management of persons with TBI. Evidence-informed, concise, and clinically rich, Management of Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury will be of enormous value to health care providers grappling with the neurological and mental health consequences of this widespread public health problem.