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Each person who has Encephalitis may be affected by one or several of a broad range of highly characteristic impairments to their personality and mental faculties; and/or exhibit particular physical difficulties.
Significant changes may occur in personality and in the ability to function day to day even if there is a complete physical recovery. Coming to terms with these changes can be very distressing and challenging for everyone concerned. It is important not to underestimate the time that the individual and the whole family will need to adjust, in both practical and emotional terms, to their new situation. Those involved have, in effect, suffered a complicated form of bereavement; it is not unrealistic, therefore, to think of allowing at least two years to come to terms with what has happened.
The Typical Problems fall into four main areas;
1) Cognitive - that is to do with thinking skills such as memory, attention/concentration, problem solving, planning and organising, slowed responses, perceptual problems, problems with understanding speech and speaking, or being able to read or write. These can range from minor problems that may need expert assessment to define, to obviously disabling conditions.
2) Behavioural - people can become aggressive, inappropriate or disinhibited. They may also be withdrawn and poorly motivated almost to the point of self-neglect. Again these can range from relatively low levels which can take expert assessment to define, to obviously disabling condition.
3) Emotional - the most common problems are mood swings, depression, anxiety and loss of confidence.
4) Physical - these can range from mild balance problems, problems with co-ordination and poor dexterity to major problems where people are totally dependent. People can develop epilepsy and problems speaking and swallowing.
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Cognitive |
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Memory |
Short Term |
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Long Term |
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Specific eg for names |
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Planning/problem solving |
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Lack of Insight |
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Word finding |
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Understanding |
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Slowed responses |
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Learning difficulties |
Global |
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Numeracy |
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Dyslexia |
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Developmental delay |
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Physical |
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Paralysis |
Hemiplegia |
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Quadriplegia |
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Motor |
Gross motor |
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Fine motor |
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Left sided weakness |
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Right sided weakness |
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Balance |
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Co-ordination |
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Dyspraxia |
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Senses |
Visual |
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Auditory – sensitive hearing |
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Touch |
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Smell |
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Taste |
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Other |
Bladder incontinence |
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Bowel incontinence |
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Swallowing difficulties |
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Weight gain |
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Loss of appetite |
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Behavioural |
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Personality change |
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Attention |
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Concentration |
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Motivation |
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Obsessions |
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Perseveration |
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Frustration |
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Irritable |
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Anger |
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Confabulation |
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Socialisation |
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Emotional |
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Mood swings |
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Anxiety |
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Depression |
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Loss of confidence |
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Other |
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Epilepsy |
Controlled |
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Uncontrolled |
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Grand mal |
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Partial |
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Absences |
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Headaches |
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Fatigue |
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Sleep problems |
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Lowered immune system |
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Last modified – 15/11/2006
