INSTRUCTORS: Kit Malia & Anne Brannagan
'Emotional/Behavioural disorders pose the most significant barriers to rehabilitation efforts with the traumatic brain injured individual and ultimately these problems prevent successful community living. Many experts suggest that these are the most difficult problems to understand, predict and treat'.

AIMS:

• To extend skills and knowledge about emotional and behavioural issues following neurological injury
• To develop understanding of the causes of emotional and behavioural problems
• To explore approaches to assessment
• To provide practical approaches to take away and apply

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This two day interactive workshop is suitable for people working with adults who have emotional or behavioural problems following brain injury.

The course focuses on developing an understanding of how and why such problems occur, and how best to assess and treat them.

Programme Day 1:

INTRODUCTION & DEFINITIONS 10:00am
Definition of emotions. Primary and Secondary emotions. The difference between emotions and feelings. Why is it important to consider emotional and behavioural problems following neurological injury?

Coffee 11:00am

THE NEUROANATOMY OF EMOTIONS 11:30am
Are we wired at birth? The limbic structures. The amygdala. The high and low roads of emotions. Neurochemistry and emotions.

Lunch 12:30pm

THE EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL CONSEQUENCES OF NEUROLOGICAL INJURY 1:30pm
Anxiety, Emotional lability, Depression, Anger, Irritability, Aggression, Impulsivity, Disinhibition, Inflexibility, Obsessive behaviour, Self centredness, Insight, Awareness, Disorders of Arousal, Drive and Motivation

Coffee 2:30pm

THE CAUSES OF EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS 3:00pm
Organic damage. Pre-injury personality. Cognitive and executive changes. The environment. How staff can cause problems. Awareness. Denial. Adjustment issues

4:00pm Finish

Programme Day 2:

ASSESSMENT OF EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS 10:00am
The 6 stage assessment process. Psychosocial assessment tools. Assessment of overt behavioural problems

Coffee 11:00am

PRACTICAL SESSION ON ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT OF EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS 11:30am
Using a case study. Feedback

Lunch 12:30pm

TREATMENT OF EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS 1:30pm
How to improve emotional and behavioural problems using cognitive rehabilitation, psychological support, anxiety management techniques, education of staff, patient & relatives, and drug therapy

Coffee 2:30pm

TREATMENT (Continued) & LEARNING REVIEW 3:00pm
How to deal with emotional and behavioural problems using behavioural management techniques. Consolidation of learning from the course

Finish 4:00pm