Brain injury and anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal emotion, which we all experience on occasion.

  • Anxiety is the feeling we get when our body responds to a frightening or threatening experience e.g. we may feel anxious if we are sitting an exam or waiting to see the dentist.
  • Anxiety can affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It is often called the ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ response, because the body prepares to either fight danger or run away.
  • Some anxiety can be helpful and help you to cope with a situation. Or, it can be an emotion that causes you to panic.
  • The adrenalin released by your body means that you are likely to experience physical sensations such as your heart racing, breathing quicker and a tense feeling.
  • It is important to remember, especially when feeling anxious, that you are not going to die or go mad. Anxiety is ‘normal’

Brain injury and anxiety

Sometimes people with a severe brain injury may seem surprisingly unconcerned by their predicament, especially in the early stages. However, a brain injury can have such a huge impact upon your life: how safe you feel, your role within the family, how far you are able to do the things you did before. So it is understandable that some people begin to feel anxious.

What causes anxiety? ·

  • You may be worrying about your problems or the future
  • Stressful life events e.g. loss of job, divorce, financial problems
  • Feeling anxious can also be a learned response, picked up early on in life

How to cope with anxiety

Taking action may make you feel more anxious at first. Even thinking about anxiety can make it worse. However, by facing up to anxiety and how it makes you feel, we can learn ways to reduce anxiety.

Relaxation techniques

  • Some people can relax listening to music, reading a book, or watching T.V.
  • Try slowing your breathing and breathing more deeply for at least 3 minutes.

Exercise

  • Certain brain chemicals are released during exercise that can enhance your mood
  • Try taking a short walk.

Healthy living

  • Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit
  • Avoid too much caffeine (in tea and coffee) and try to stop smoking

Complementary therapies

  • Yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, Reiki healing

Changing anxious thoughts and behaviours

  • Talk to someone you Trust (e.g. partner, friend) for help with specific problems
  • Try not to avoid things. Anxiety often reaches a peak, then starts to go away naturally
  • Try not to focus just on the bad things or jump to conclusions

Do I suffer from anxiety?

  1. imagining the worst?
  2. thinking “I can’t cope”?
  3. becoming snappy, irritable?
  4. avoiding feared situations?
  5. getting nervous, worried, panicky?
  6. feeling unreal, strange, detached?
  7. sweating, dizzy, heart pounding?
  8. feeling nauseous, your stomach churning?

If you regularly feel some or all of these things then it is likely you are suffering from anxiety

Where can I get help?

If your anxiety is severe, it may be best to talk to your GP or an organisation that can offer support and advice.

They will be able to refer you to a Counsellor, Mental Health Worker, or Psychologist to enable you to talk about how you feel, in a confidential setting.

People who access our services are welcome to talk to the Team Manager if they are experiencing any problems with their care.

Other Useful Organisations: (The following organisations are independent of CWP contact details are provided for information purposes only). CWP will not be responsible for any advice or treatment provided by these organisations

  • MIND: A Leading mental health organisation Website: www.mind.org.uk Info line: 0300 123 3393
  • BASIC: Supporting people affected by brain or spinal injury Website: www.basiccharity.org.uk Helpline: 0870 750 0000 (Mon-Fri 9.30am5pm)
  • HEADWAY: The Brain Injury Association Website: www.headway.org.uk E-mail: enquiries@headway.org.uk Tel: 0115 924 0800 Helpline: 0808 8002244

Service information:

  • Acquired Brain Injury Service
  • Acorn Suite 1829 Building Countess of Chester Health Park Liverpool Road Chester CH2 1HJ
  • Tel: 01244 389252
  • Fax: 01244 389255

If you would like this information in another format, please speak to a member of CWP staff or e-mail cwp.info@nhs.net.

Oct 2025 Version 1
www.cwp.nhs.uk