Persistent Vegetative State

Continuing Vegetative State, Disorder of Consciousness.

What is a Persistent Vegetative State?

A persistent vegetative state is a disorder of consciousness in which a person is awake but is showing no signs of awareness for longer than four weeks.

What causes a Persistent Vegetative State?

A persistent vegetative state is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that are responsible for consciousness. This may be due to:

  • Traumatic brain injury. This occurs when a force to the brain causes severe trauma.
  • Non-traumatic brain injury. This is usually caused by a health condition that deprives the brain of oxygen or directly attacks brain tissue.
  • Progressive brain damage. This occurs over time and can be caused by conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or a brain tumour.

What are the symptoms of a Persistent Vegetative State?

A person in a persistent vegetative state does not show any meaningful responses, such as responding to voices, and they also do not show any signs of experiencing emotions. However, they can still open their eyes, wake up and fall asleep, regulate their heartbeat and breathing and their basic reflexes are still intact.

 

Are you affected by persistent vegetative state?

If you’re affected by persistent vegetative state, The Brain Charity can support you.

We are the only charity in the UK to be here for every one of the more than 600 different neurological conditions in existence. Individually, many are rare, but combined, they affect 1 in 6 people.

We provide practical help on all aspects of living with Lewy body dementia, emotional support such as counselling, phone befriending and group therapy and social activities to people with Lewy body dementia and their family, friends and carers from all over the UK from our centre in Liverpool.

Looking to talk to someone?

Woman smiling, making eye contact and holding the hand of another woman to comfort her

Phone us

Contact The Brain Charity now

Our friendly Information & Advice Officers are here to help. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days.

0151 298 2999

Looking to talk to someone?

  • Please tell us which neurological condition you are affected by and what you need support with.

Caring for someone with persistent vegetative state

We support carers, friends and family too

Are you a carer for or relative of someone with persistent vegetative state? It’s just as important for you to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing too.

The Brain Charity provides free support for carers, friends and family of people with any form of neurological condition, including persistent vegetative state, from anywhere in the UK.

We also run an additional carers advocacy service for all carers in Liverpool, regardless of which type of condition the person they care for has.

You don’t need to be a formal or registered carer

We can help you even if you don’t view yourself as a formal carer or claim Carer’s Allowance. Find out some of the ways we support carers below.

Carer support from The Brain Charity in Liverpool Practical help

Support for carers

All The Brain Charity's services are free for carers and family members of people with neurological conditions too.
Get help
Brain haemorrhage survivor Neil Rhodes with medal after completing a Trans-Alpine run Information

Brain haemorrhage survivor runs eight marathons in eight days for The Brain Charity

Neil defied the odds and has since claimed many Guinness World Records.
Get help
Aphasia artwork by Pamela Information

Stroke survivors improved ability to communicate by making art inspired by British Library sound archive

People with aphasia listened to sounds from the British Library and created paintings.
Get help
View all

Other resources

Support groups

The Brain Charity

The Brain Charity’s library has a range of resources related to persistent vegetative state and many other disability-related issues.

Visit our library to read:

  • Traumatic Brain Injury by NINDS Corporate.
  • Alzheimer’s Disease by Paul Dash.
  • Parkinson’s Disease by Brain & Spine Foundation.

Or search the catalogue online here.

Are you interested in setting up a persistent vegetative state support group, or do you already run one? Email info@thebraincharity.org.uk to let us know.

Neuro Carers Social Group

Online group for the carers of those with neurological conditions that provides them with an opportunity to communicate with others who are in the same position as themselves.

Website: https://www.brainandspine.org.uk/supporting-you/online-support-groups/neuro-carers-social-group/

Phone: 08008081000

Email: helpline@brainandspine.org.uk

Headway Liverpool

Monthly/weekly support group that provides help, information and services for those who have been affected by a brain injury and their families and carers.

Website: https://headwaysefton.com/

Phone: 07736774496

Email: headwaysefton@yahoo.co.u

Mind

Helpline: 0300 123 3393

Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/

Email: info@mind.org.uk

BASHH

Helpline: 01543 442190

Website: https://www.bashh.org/

Email: admin@bashh.org

Other charities

Headway

Headway aims to improve the understanding of brain injuries through providing information and to provide support and services to those who have been affected by a brain injury and their families and carers.

Website: https://www.headway.org.uk/

Phone: 08088002244

Email: helpline@headway.org.uk

Brain Research UK

Brain Research UK funds neurological research in order to improve the lives of those affected by neurological conditions.

Website: https://www.brainresearchuk.org.uk

Phone: 02074049982

Email: info@brainresearchuk.org.uk

Brain & Spine Foundation

Brain & Spine Foundation aims to improve the lives of those affected by neurological problems through providing information, education and support. 

Website: https://www.brainandspine.org.uk

Phone: 08088081000

Email: helpline@brainandspine.org.uk