Mental Health & The Journey of Healing After an Anoxic Brain Injury

Caring for a child with an anoxic brain injury is life-changing. It's a reality no parent prepares for, a journey filled with uncertainty, grief, hope, and exhaustion. The emotional toll is just as real as the physical challenges your child faces—but too often, caregivers push their mental health aside, focusing solely on their child's needs.

We need to talk about this—your mental health matters.

You are not "just tired." You are carrying the weight of a traumatic event, an unimaginable shift in what you thought life would be. That kind of stress doesn't just go away—it builds, and if left unaddressed, it can lead to depression, anxiety, caregiver burnout, and even physical illness.

This page is here to remind you: You are not alone. Your feelings are valid. Help is available.

The Emotional Impact of an Anoxic Brain Injury on Families

1. The Grief No One Talks About

An anoxic brain injury doesn't just affect your child—it reshapes your entire family's world. There's a unique kind of grief that comes with this journey:

  • Grieving the life you imagined for your child. The milestones that may look different now, the future you once envisioned.

  • Grieving the "before" version of yourself. The carefree parent you used to be before trauma rewired your nervous system.

  • Grieving relationships that have changed. Friendships that faded, family members who don't understand, and the isolation that comes with being a full-time caregiver.

Grief doesn't mean you've given up hope. It means you love your child so deeply that you're mourning the loss of what could have been. And that is okay.

2. The Invisible Weight of Caregiving

If you're a parent caring for a child with an anoxic brain injury, you're likely running on empty. Studies show that caregivers of children with special medical needs are at a significantly higher risk for:

  • Chronic stress & burnout

  • Anxiety & panic attacks

  • Depression & PTSD

  • Physical health issues (migraines, high blood pressure, autoimmune conditions)

You might be feeling:

✅ Exhausted, even after sleeping.

✅ Numb, disconnected, or like you're living on autopilot.

✅ Easily overwhelmed by things that didn't used to bother you.

✅ Resentful, guilty, or emotionally drained.

✅ Like no one understands what you're going through.

These feelings don't mean you're failing. They mean you're human.

3. Trauma, PTSD, and the Nervous System

Witnessing your child's medical emergency was traumatic. Many parents of anoxic brain injury survivors experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including:

  • Flashbacks or nightmares about the accident or hospital stay

  • Hypervigilance (constantly feeling "on edge" or easily startled)

  • Avoidance behaviors (not wanting to talk about what happened)

  • Emotional numbness or detachment

This is not something you can "get over." Trauma gets stored in the body, and it takes time, support, and often professional help to heal from it.

Coping with the Pressure:

Recognizing Destructive Patterns and Finding Healthier Alternatives

Navigating life after an anoxic brain injury is overwhelming. Caregivers and family members often carry the weight of responsibility, grief, and uncertainty—sometimes without a clear outlet for processing their emotions. Under extreme stress, it is common to develop destructive coping mechanisms that provide temporary relief but ultimately lead to more harm.

Common destructive coping mechanisms include:

- Emotional numbing, such as overindulging in alcohol, prescription medication, or recreational drugs, to dull feelings of stress, grief, or exhaustion.

- Compulsive behaviors like overeating, excessive shopping, gambling, or self-harm as a way to regain a sense of control.

- Isolation from friends, family, and support systems due to shame, exhaustion, or the belief that no one understands.

- Perfectionism and overworking can lead to burnout by pushing oneself to unrealistic expectations, taking on too much responsibility, and refusing to accept help.

- Anger and irritability, which may result in lashing out at loved ones, feeling resentful, or experiencing an overwhelming sense of frustration with circumstances.

The pressure of caregiving can amplify these tendencies, making it even harder to cope in a healthy way. If left unchecked, these behaviors can lead to long-term emotional, physical, and relational harm.

Instead of turning to destructive habits, there are healthier coping strategies that foster resilience, healing, and emotional regulation.

- Seek connection by engaging in support groups, online or in person, or confiding in trusted friends and family.

- Practice mindfulness and grounding techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and journaling to help regulate emotions in moments of distress.

- Prioritize physical health by incorporating regular movement, staying hydrated, and maintaining a nutrient-dense diet.

- Set boundaries and accept help to prevent burnout, recognizing that it is okay to say no and allow others to step in.

- Find a creative outlet to express emotions through art, writing, music, or another meaningful activity.

- Seek therapeutic support through counseling, therapy, or trauma-informed coaching to process difficult emotions and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

You are not alone in this journey. Recognizing the impact of stress and proactively addressing it is a sign of strength. You deserve support, too.

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health

Taking care of your child does not mean sacrificing yourself in the process. Here's how to start protecting your mental health—one small step at a time.

1. Recognize That Your Feelings Are Valid

You don't have to "stay strong" all the time. You are allowed to feel sad, angry, exhausted, or overwhelmed. Acknowledging your emotions is the first step in managing them.

2. Find Your People

Isolation makes everything more complicated. Connect with:

  • Other parents who understand this journey. (Join a support group, even if it's online.)

  • A therapist or counselor who specializes in caregiver stress or trauma.

  • Friends who genuinely listen (not the ones who try to "fix" things).

3. Prioritize Small Acts of Self-Care

You may not have time for a spa day, but you can:

  • Take deep breaths when stress builds.

  • Listen to music that soothes your nervous system.

  • Step outside for a few minutes of fresh air.

  • Drink enough water and eat something nourishing.

These small actions help your brain regulate stress and keep you functioning.

4. Seek Professional Support When You Need It

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to cope, it's time to seek help. Therapy isn't a luxury—it's a tool to help you process your emotions, develop coping strategies, and feel less alone on this journey.

FAIR offers free professional therapy for parents and caregivers of children with anoxic brain injuries. Click below to apply for mental health support.

You Are Not Alone

It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to need help. And it’s okay to hope, even when things feel impossible.

You are doing an incredible job, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Your child is lucky to have you. And you deserve support, too.

FAIR is here for you. Reach out, connect, and care for yourself—you are just as important as the child you care for.