Avoiding vulnerability is a common traumatic brain injury response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and traumatic brain injury opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Traumatic Brain Injury
- Concealing traumatic brain injury from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when traumatic brain injury is high is enormous
- Shame about traumatic brain injury thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of traumatic brain injury often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Traumatic Brain Injury
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in traumatic brain injury) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and traumatic brain injury. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Traumatic Brain Injury
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.