Undergoing treatment for a brain aneurysm is a major life event that
continues long after discharge from the hospital. Survivors face the potential
for physical, emotional, and cognitive changes that can be minor or
significant, short-term or long-lasting.
Recovery for patients who suffered a ruptured aneurysm tends to be longer
and more difficult than it is for patients whose aneurysm did not rupture.
Older people and those with chronic medical problems may also recover
more slowly than younger, healthier individuals. Some patients may require
rehabilitation. Others are able to care for themselves after a short period of
recovery. As these examples demonstrate, each individual and situation is
unique and recovery times will vary.
One of the most frequently asked questions by brain aneurysm survivors is,
“How long until I get better?” Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how
long it will take to improve, or even how much improvement will occur.
There will be a better chance for recovery if the survivor and the family
maintain hope, even when facing a long recovery process. Rehabilitation
pioneer George Prigatano, PhD, points out, “If the brain is alive, it can learn.”
Remind yourself often of this: the brain can learn new skills for a lifetime.
Patients recovering from aneurysm treatment experience many changes and
challenges. We prepared this booklet to provide you and your caregivers with
information about many of the most common changes, with suggestions for
how to deal with them. You will also find additional information on many of
the topics in this booklet on our website: bafound.org.
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