Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Encephalitis Society

Support line: +44 (0)1653 699599

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Need help?
  • Join Us!
  • Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Encephalitis explained
    • What is encephalitis?
    • Diagnosis of encephalitis
    • Types of encephalitis
      • Infectious encephalitis
      • Auto-immune encephalitis
      • Other
    • Being in hospital
    • Coronavirus and encephalitis
    • Effects
      • How the brain works
      • After-effects of encephalitis
      • Death from encephalitis
      • Effects on learning and school life
    • Recovering from encephalitis
      • Guidelines for recovery
      • Practical strategies
      • Rehabilitation after encephalitis
      • Professionals involved in recovery
      • Neuropsychological assessment
    • Infectious encephalitis and travel
  • Get Help
    • Get support (now)
    • Get information
      • Encephalitis in adults
      • Encephalitis in children
      • Encephalitis in young people
      • Information for carers & family
      • Dealing with bereavement
      • Information for teachers
      • Information for health professionals
      • Helpful books
    • Legal advice
    • Meet other people affected
    • Events and activities
  • Stories and News
    • Our campaigns
      • Research month
      • Encephalitis Information Week
      • Measles FAQ
      • BBC Radio 4 appeal
      • Hollyoaks
      • Encephalitis Matters petition
    • Our projects around the world
    • Our blog
    • Your stories
    • Our Podcasts
    • My brain and me
    • Newsletters
  • Encephalitis research
    • Global Impact Report
    • Events for professionals
      • Encephalitis Conference
      • Masterclass webinars
      • External events
    • Grants
    • Latest research on encephalitis
      • Research Summary
    • Research currently recruiting
    • Professional membership
    • Professional Newsletter
    • Training and consultancy
  • Support Us
    • Fundraise for us
      • Fundraising events
      • Do your own thing
      • Fundraising Blog
    • Donate now
    • Ways to give
      • Give in memory
      • Leave a legacy
      • Gift Aid
      • Unity Lottery
      • Trusts and foundations
      • Other ways to give
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Our Partners
    • Corporate engagement
    • Changemakers
  • Shop
  • About us
    • Our vision
    • Our team
      • Our Ambassadors
      • Our President / VPs
      • Our Scientific Advisory Panel
      • Our Trustees
      • Our Staff
    • Our previous events
    • Our impact
    • Our accounts
    • Our policies
    • Current vacancies
    • Media Centre
  • World Encephalitis Day
  • 01653692583
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Professionals involved in recovery and rehabilitation
  1. Encephalitis explained
  2. Recovering from encephalitis

Professionals involved in recovery and rehabilitation

Download PDF Professionals involved in your recovery

By Dr. Ava Easton, Encephalitis Society

Who are the professionals?

Various healthcare professionals will be involved in your recovery and rehabilitation after encephalitis. Their roles are described below.

Neuropsychologists are trained in understanding brain-behaviour problems. Referral to a neuropsychologist may be useful for:

  • assessing thinking skills with a view to managing cognitive problems (e.g., difficulties with attention and memory)
  • assessing an individual’s capacity to make complex decisions (such as where to live)
  • therapy and other interventions for managing problems with emotion and behaviour

Occupational therapists support people to engage in activities that are important to them. Referral to an occupational therapist may be useful for:

  • assessing abilities and supporting an individual to maximise independence in relation to simple (e.g., personal care) and complex (e.g., managing finances) activities of everyday living
  • helping someone become involved in leisure-based activity
  • supporting people to go to college or return to work 
  • considering what aids/equipment might be useful for helping someone maximise their independence and fulfil their goals.

Neurophysiotherapists help and treat people with physical problems secondary to neurological conditions. Referral to a neurophysiotherapist is useful for assessing and addressing:

  • problems with movement, such as difficulties with mobility and dexterity and/or sensory changes (i.e., numbness, pins and needles)
  • advice regarding pain management

Other specialist services and professionals to consider might include:

  • Speech and language therapists specialise in assessment and management of problems with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing.
  • Neurologists —for concerns about relapse, advice about medication, management of seizures and for referral for brain scans
  • Rehabilitation Medicine Consultants— for advice about rehabilitation
  • Neuropsychiatrists —for management of problematic emotion and behaviour
  • Epilepsy nurse specialists – for management of epilepsy
  • Pain management services – for advice regarding pain
  • Continence Services – for advice about continence management
  • Psychosexual clinics – for management of the combined impact of physical and psychological aspects of sexual dysfunction
  • Ear Nose & Throat Specialists/ Audiologists/Opthalmologists – for managing sensory problems
  • Endocrinologist/Neuroendocrinologist – for management of hormonal irregularities
  • Immunologist – in the event of problems with immunity
  • Dietician – to assess nutritional needs and recommend appropriate treatment
  • Social services/Mental Health Crisis Teams assist with social issues such as arranging care, respite or residential placement, or when there are concerns about risk posed to the patient or others.

 Complementary therapists

Complementary therapies include treatments such as osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy, massage, reflexology and aromatherapy. Many of the established forms of complementary treatments have their own governing body or college, and you are strongly advised to contact them if you are thinking about finding a qualified practitioner.  Often other people who have used their services are the best source of information, although some GP’s may have a specialist interest in this area. Occasionally, some form of complementary treatment may be available under the NHS but more usually it has to be paid for privately.  You are strongly recommended to discuss with your doctor any alternative therapies, medicines or treatments before using them. 

Referral to professionals

Some of these professionals often work together in multidisciplinary teams to provide support following acquired brain injury (ABI) both in the community and outpatients settings (e.g. NHS Community Neurology Rehabilitation Teams, NHS Community Brain Injury Teams). However, in some regions the health professionals listed above work independently of each other.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to access these specialists for free via NHS services. The best thing is to speak to your GP or neurologist in order to obtain a referral to these services. If there is no local statutory services available, another option is to pay to see professionals on a private or fee-paying basis.

Private practices

 Information about private practitioners can be found on the following websites:

  • The British Psychological Society
  • The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
  • The College of Occupation Therapists
  • Association of Speech and Language Therapist in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)
  • British Dietetics Association (BDA)
  • The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists

Getting the best out of the meetings with professionals

Many people are nervous about talking to those who have a degree of control over their lives or the lives of those they care for. There may be additional difficulties following encephalitis, perhaps with communication or memory that you or your loved one may now face. Don’t see professionals as the enemy – they are just ordinary people who have some extra training.

Identifying your difficulties

Keep a diary of your difficulties, their pattern and how they affect your life. Try using a numbering system, for example you could say that ‘on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 being the least pain and 10 being the worst) I was having a 9 headache before the medication you gave me and now I am having a 5. Take this diary to your meeting with professional.

Build a good relationship with your doctor by talking openly and honestly

Whilst it is important to discuss your problems it is equally important to acknowledge progress. However, it must be understood that some of your problems will not be cured with a simple pill, just one appointment or a few therapy sessions. 

Prepare for your meetings

Arrange the meeting if possible and ask where you will meet (e.g. hospital, your home), what will you discuss and who will be there. Before the meeting think at what you want to say and bring at the meeting. Don’t forget to bring your diary and ask somebody to come with you a moral support or for making notes of the meeting.

At the meeting:

  • Keep it simple.
  • Stick to the topic.
  • Keep checking your notes.
  • Be honest.
  • Listen to what is said and take notes.
  • If you don’t understand ask them to explain.
  • Ask if you can have some time to think about any decision.
  • Ask about alternatives to any treatments.
  • Ask for any information that you are unsure about to be given in writing.
  • Keep a record of all your meetings.
  • You can ask to be copied in on any letters sent out.
  • Ask that another time and venue be arranged if necessary.
  • Try and end the meeting on a friendly note.

If things go wrong:

  • Don’t get angry, take some deep breaths or ask for a short break.
  • Don’t blame, focus on finding a solution instead.
  • Say you are not comfortable with their decision and ask for a second opinion.

FEEDBACK

Please tell us what you think about this information by filling in this very short feedback form


FS033V3 Professionals involved in recovery and rehabilitation

Date created: March 2000; Last updated: August 2019; Review date: August 2022

Disclaimer: We try to ensure that the information is easy to understand, accurate and up-to-date as possible.

If you would like more information on the source material the author used to write this document please contact the Encephalitis Society. None of the authors of the above document has declared any conflict of interest which may arise from being named as an author of this document.

Published: 10th July, 2017

Updated: 16th October, 2019

Author: Alina Ellerington

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Brain Conference

    Brain Conference

    The Brain Conference showcases the latest updates across a broad range of neuroscientific topics. It is an online event organised by the Guarantors of Brain on 16th March 2023.

  • Proseposters

    Proseposters

  • Unwillable by Jackie Stebbins

    Unwillable by Jackie Stebbins

  • Episodic memory loss following LGI1-limbic encephalitis

Most read

  • NMDAR antibody encephalitis

    NMDAR antibody encephalitis

    NMDAR antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.

  • Herpes Simplex  virus encephalitis

    Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

    Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.

  • What is encephalitis?

    What is encephalitis?

    Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.

  • Guidelines for recovery

    Guidelines for recovery

    No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.

  • Limbic encephalitis

    Limbic encephalitis

    The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.

  • West Nile encephalitis

    West Nile encephalitis

    West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.

  • Death from encephalitis

    Death from encephalitis

    Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.

  • Encephalitis: after-effects, recovery and rehabilitation

    Encephalitis: after-effects, recovery and rehabilitation

    This booklet provides key information about the type of issues that people may have after encephalitis, why rehabilitation/support from professionals and families are important and what options for self-help are available.

  • Emotional and behavioural changes

    Emotional and behavioural changes

    Following encephalitis, some people may experience emotional and behavioural changes including low mood, increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, frustration, aggression, impulsivity, disinhibition, and/or poor emotional regulation.

  • Get support

    Get support

    Our Support Service is here to help you with any questions about encephalitis, recovery and rehabilitation or emotional support.

Tag cloud

About Us Anne McIntosh anti-nmdar Brain on Fire Case Studies encephalitis blog Japanese encephalitis limbic membership NeuroAccess Story support Tick-borne encephalitis volunteer

Latest tweet

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Media Centre

Contact us

Encephalitis Society, 32 Castlegate,
Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 7DT
United Kingdom
T: +44(0)1653 692583
E: [email protected] (general enquiries)
E: [email protected] (support enquiries)
Directions

The Encephalitis Society is the operating name of the Encephalitis Support Group which is a registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee.

Registered in England and Wales No. 04189027. Registered Office as above. Registered Charity No. 1087843. Registered Charity in Scotland: SC048210

Keep up to date with out latest news

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])


We automatically make you a member which is free and supports our work, you can opt out at any time.
Manage Cookie Preferences