Nigel S. King – författare

HIGHLY COMMENDED for the British Medical Awards book prize for Popular MedicineUp to 10% of people will suffer a mild head injury (or ''mild traumatic brain injury'') in their lifetime and up to 50% of those people will also find they have lingering post-concussion symptoms in the months or years afterwards. These symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, reduced day-to-day memory, poor concentration, taking longer to think, ''muzzy'' headedness, depression, anxiety, tinnitus, blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light or noise, frustration, nausea, restlessness and sensitivity to alcohol. In such circumstances the ''mild'' head injury may feel anything but mild. This is particularly so if large areas of your day to day life are affected. People in these circumstances can have their difficulties compounded by the very different explanations for their persisting difficulties. These usually involve receiving contradictory opinions about the extent to which ongoing symptoms are caused by neurological brain injury or other factors. These complicating factors can make it very difficult to find the right kind of service or expertise after a TBI. Patients can easily feel like they are being ''''pushed from pillar to post" when trying to find services that can help with their problems. On top of all of this, there is a distinct lack of good, science- based information for patients about the best ways to manage PCS. It is therefore very common for those who experience prolonged difficulties to find their situation extremely confusing, frustrating and stressful. Dr Nigel King is an expert with much experience in this area, and has written a very valuable book weaving together the most useful knowledge in this area. It clarifies some of the complex issues for those who suffer with prolonged problems and provides practical, science-based self-help guidance for managing TBI difficulties. Using cognitive rehabilitation techniques and CBT approaches for the associated mental health complications of PCS, this much need book provides help, hope and understanding for what can be a highly disabling and misunderstood condition.

Just the facts for coping with the after-effects of a brain injuryAcquired Brain Injury (ABI) usually refers to people who have suffered a head injury or stroke but also includes those who have had brain tumours, an anoxic injury (where the brain has been starved of oxygen) or brain illnesses like encephalitis and meningitis. After an ABI, the brain undergoes a very slow healing process before improvements slow down and eventually plateau. This is different to other forms of brain conditions where the journey is more of a deteriorating one over time.ABI is commonly called ''a hidden disability'' as it can easily be missed or misunderstood by others. Also it can significantly affect those close to the person and therefore it is frequently called ''a family affair'' too. As the issues are often hidden, complicated and affect patients and families alike, this book can act as a roadmap to help you and your loved ones navigate through the complex and often unexpected challenges that can arise following a brain injury, using:- Cognitive rehabilitation approaches to understand and manage changes in our thinking abilities- Cognitive behavioural approaches to address ways in which our thoughts, feelings, actions and physical reactions relate to each other