- This page has been taken from Encephalitis – a guide, which was compiled by Elaine
Dowell and Ava Easton with advice and assistance from the Society's Professional
Advisory Panel and members of the Encephalitis Society.
It is available from
our Online
Shop
The majority of people who have been ill with encephalitis return to the care of
their family. Consequently families bear the brunt of the emotional and behavioural
changes which can follow encephalitis, often without appropriate information or
support. In addition to this Guide, the Encephalitis Society can help with further
information, advice and support. The Society operates a linking scheme, linking
people in similar situations for mutual support. The Society also organises support
meetings across the UK and Republic of Ireland which are free to attend and provide
an opportunity to meet with other people and families.
Parents and partners who find themselves having to deal with significant caring
issues may benefit from contacting their local Carers’ Resource. The national
organisation Carers UK is the leading provider of information on all matters relating
to caring.
www.carersuk.org
CarersLine on 0808 808 7777
The Encephalitis Society does not have a local support network, but there are numerous
HEADWAY groups that can provide this service. Headway is a charity set up to give
help and support to people affected by brain injury. A network of local Headway
Groups and Branches throughout the UK offers a wide range of services, including
rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social re-integration, community outreach
and respite care. The services available will vary, depending on local needs and
resources.
www.headway.org.uk Helpline
0808 800 2244,
helpline@headway.org.uk
Counselling
Being supported emotionally is very important to all of us. Having someone who shares
our concerns makes it easier to cope. For some people having a supportive family
will be enough. Others may need more professional help.
There are various kinds of counselling services available, their help may be short
or longer term and it may be free or involve payment. Counselling isn’t offered
routinely and you will have to ask for it. Often the first person to ask is your
GP. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (www.bacp.co.uk) provides a
list of local member counsellors.
Managing Stress
Stress can be brought about by the day to day difficulties of coming to terms with
the effects of encephalitis. Experiencing stress for short bursts is a healthy way
to respond to difficult situations but excessive or prolonged stress can cause illness.
These may include physical symptoms - headaches, nausea, indigestion, palpitations,
excessive perspiration. Prolonged stress might lead to feelings of anxiety, fear,
anger, frustration, and depression. There may be changes in behaviour too - more
irritable or tearful, this can affect interaction with others and it may interfere
with sleep patterns or sex life.
Regular exercise, rest and nutritious food and water are all necessary in order
to live well and withstand stress. Learn to relax by listening to pleasant music
or doing specific relaxation exercises that can help you sleep better.
A number of organisations produce a range of helpful information on coping with
stress, feelings of anxiety and depression. They include the Mental Health Foundation
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
and Mind www.mind.org.uk
Details of these organisations can be found in the Resource Section at the back
of this guide.
Last modified: October 2009