No products in the cart.

No products in the cart.

Perseveration After Brain Injury: Understanding Repetitive Thoughts and Behaviors

Woman getting help from psychologist for perseveration after brain injury

Perseveration after brain injury can cause someone to continuously repeat actions, words, or thoughts. It is thought to occur due to changes in memory, attention, and cognition after a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Today’s article will explain the causes and types of perseveration after TBI. We’ll also discuss how family members can help their loved ones manage their behaviors.

Definition and Causes of Perseveration

Perseveration is a thought disorder that causes multiple repetitions of a word, phrase, or gesture after they have stopped being appropriate. It also involves the inability to shift goals or tasks when required.

Perseveration after brain injury is caused by damage to the frontal cortex, which controls a person’s self-awareness and inhibition. Without those skills, a person who perseverates finds it difficult to stop a particular action and switch to another.

In other words, perseveration is related to one’s inability to easily switch from one cognitive task to another. Normally, people can smoothly transition between tasks and thoughts in order to hold conversations or solve problems.

Without this ability, individuals can become “stuck” on certain thought patterns or activities. In these situations, they are unaware of their perseveration and are not able to control it. Unfortunately, it can lead to problems within one’s personal or professional life.

Types of Perseveration

The three most common types of perseveration after brain injury are:

  • Stuck-in-set: The uncontrolled or extended maintenance of a thought, activity, or topic in conversation, despite the situation changing.
  • Recurrent perseveration: The unintentional and unfocused repetition of a behavior. For example, a person with recurrent perseveration might write the same word or letter multiple times for no apparent reason.
  • Continuous perseveration: The uncontrollable repetition of an impression or feeling. An example of this is someone who continues to dwell on their anger longer than the situation warrants.

All people experience perseveration to one degree or another. For example, when a song gets stuck in your head, you are actually perseverating. But after a brain injury, perseveration becomes more pronounced and uncontrollable.

Examples of Perseveration After Brain Injury

man staring at laptop late at night because he has perseveration after brain injury

Perseveration can manifest in different ways, and no two people will experience the exact same presentation.

For example, a person with perseveration might continue shaking hands for longer than what is deemed to be socially acceptable. Others might continue to clean an object longer than necessary.

Most of the time, however, perseveration occurs during conversations or social interactions, when the person cannot switch between ideas or responses. They might also repeat the same words and phrases.

Other examples include behaviors such as:

  • Repeatedly switching T.V. channels
  • Putting food in their mouth without stopping to chew or swallow
  • Writing the same word or phrase over and over
  • Putting on and taking off an item of clothing

Sometimes, perseveration is not accompanied by physical actions. Rather, the person will obsess over a thought until they can no longer function normally.

It’s important to realize that perseveration after brain injury is not a behavioral problem, but a cognitive one. Therefore, trying to convince the person to “snap out of it” will not be successful and may worsen the situation.

Treating and Managing Perseveration

Because there are many varying degrees of perseveration, treatment will require comprehensive evaluation by a neuropsychologist. You may also work with an occupational therapist to develop some helpful coping strategies.

Some of the best interventions for perseveration include:

One of the most helpful cognitive therapy tactics for perseveration is a technique known as thought stopping. This refers to the use of a visual cue or action that can prevent perseveration from taking hold. For example, some people snap a rubber band on their wrist when they start to perseverate.   

Helping Someone Who is Perseverating

boyfriend comforting girlfriend who is perseverating

It can be difficult to watch a loved one perseverate. Fortunately, there are some helpful strategies you can do to stop perseveration in another. Some examples include:

  • Recognize. Teach the person how to recognize when he/she is beginning to perseverate as well as how to ask for help. You can also create a “stuck signal” that alerts the person when they are stuck.
  • Simplify. Give simple, clear instructions on what the person needs to do. For example, if they can’t stop brushing their teeth, tell them to put the brush in your hand, relax their fingers, etc.
  • Offer praise. If they manage to stop perseverating, reinforce this behavior with positive comments.
  • Set a time for perseveration. If the person tends to obsess over a certain topic, schedule a time when they can talk or think about it freely. But emphasize that when the time is up, they must stop. Set an alarm so they know when their time limit ends.

These are just a few examples of tactics you can use to reduce perseveration in a loved one after brain injury. But since every case is unique, you should consult with a specialist for individualized advice.

Understanding Perseveration After Brain Injury

Perseveration is commonly seen as a secondary effect following a traumatic brain injury. It causes patients to engage in repetitive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors.

This can be harmful to a person’s relationships and even their health, depending on the type of perseveration they engage in.

Fortunately, with the right support, patients can learn to recognize and reduce their perseverative behaviors after brain injury.  

Keep it going: Do you know these 15 essential TBI recovery tips?

If you like our content, you’ll love our ebook and newsletters! Get instant access to our TBI recovery tips ebook with 20 pages of helpful advice by signing up below.

You’ll also receive our emails that share survivor stories and more useful TBI recovery tips, which you can opt out of at any time. (We know you’ll love them, too.)

We will never sell your email address, and we never spam. That we promise.

More Ways to Recover with Flint Rehab:

Download Free TBI Recovery Tips!

15 Things Every TBI Survivor Must Know

Discover Award-Winning Neurorehab Tools

You're on a Roll: Read More Popular Articles on TBI Recovery

Do you want to sharpen your cognitive skills after a TBI?

Time with a speech therapist is extremely valuable during recovery, especially if you struggle with communication, critical thinking, or memory after brain injury. Insurance typically covers speech therapy for a fixed amount of time. But once it’s over, recovery is in your hands.

That’s why two speech therapists came together to create the CT Speech & Cognitive therapy app. It contains over 100,000 cognitive exercises that are all available right from your phone or tablet. 

This app is the perfect fit if you want to improve your speaking, memory, or general mental sharpness. Best of all, it’s affordable at just $29.99/month.

Click here to learn more about the CT app »

See what Miriam said about the CT Speech & Cognitive Therapy app:

“For the past 6 months, my son has used the app about three times a week. The app is like a virtual therapist, it’s very easy to use, and it gives him immediate feedback.

He now understands things faster, can make decisions with less hesitation, has improved recognition of words, and his confidence is higher. I also find it easy to get in touch with customer service; they pleasantly help out. The whole experience has been great.”

— Miriam

It’s like having a virtual speech therapist available anytime you want

With the CT App, you can get the guidance you need right from your phone or tablet. You can use it on your own or in between sessions with your speech therapist.

Whether you struggle with aphasia, memory loss, or critical thinking, the CT Speech & Cognitive Therapy App can help.

“The CT app has helped me gather my confidence by building on and reinforcing old forgotten skills. It helps to see my percentages increase, and work harder when they decrease. It’s very self-motivating.” -Kathryn

We are confident that this app will help improve your speech and cognitive function after brain injury. Like our recovery tools, the CT App is also covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee.

15 Things Every TBI Survivor Must Know

Do you know these 15 TBI recovery tips?

Get a free copy of our ebook 15 Things Every TBI Survivor Must Know. Click here to get instant access.