Meeting of the minds: ego reintegration after traumatic brain injury

Many symptoms of brain injury (e.g, difficulties with speech, intellectual functions, concentration, flatness or lability, distractibility) bear a close resemblance to inhibitions and compromise formations evident in problematic intrapsychic development. Disturbances in intrapsychic function can have an organic basis, and errors in differential diagnosis can result when therapists do not consider intrapsychic and organic damage in combination. Brain-injured individuals need others who are comfortable providing auxiliary functions, particularly as an aid in managing anxiety. Understanding the operation of anxiety after brain injury can further the capacity of these individuals to attain and maintain more gratifying interpersonal relationships.