SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
In discussing the consequences of traumatic brain injury, it is important to emphasize that each individual will have different symptoms and different complaints. The signs and symptoms exhibited following brain trauma, depends on both the degree of brain damage and the areas of the brain that were affected. Every traumatic brain injury is different.
COGNITIVE CONSEQUENCES OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:
Cognitive changes following a brain injury affect the day to day functioning of an individual. These changes can impact all aspects of a brain injury survivor’s life.
Typical cognitive impairments following a traumatic brain injury include:
- Memory impairment
- Difficulty in attention and concentration
- Difficulty with information processing
- Difficulty with abstract reasoning
- Difficulty with multitasking and executive function tasks
- Impaired problem solving abilities
- Impairments in abstract reasoning
- Impairments in organization skills
EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:
The behavioral changes to a brain injury survivor may be as devastating and severe as the original brain injury itself.
An individual who has sustained a brain or head injury can develop:
- Personality changes
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Aggression
- Psychosis
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Depression
- Disinhibition
- Heightened Sexual Arousal
Many times a person develops these symptoms and are subject to misdiagnosis because their family and friends as well as professionals’ do not realize that the person has even suffered a head injury. They may not be aware that the person fell. If it is a child, the child may never admit a hit to the head. A battered spouse may never reveal the beatings sustained from her husband. A teenager may not tell anyone about a car accident because he/she didn’t have permission to drive or were in a friend’s car without permission. In other instances, alcohol or drugs may prevent the individual from remembering a hit to their head.
SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:
Traumatic brain injury can have profound affects on the way that an individual interacts with a spouse, children, other family members and friends.
Some of the social consequences include:
- Divorce
- Chronic unemployment
- Criminal and other antisocial behaviors
- Spousal and child abuse
Many of the social consequences following traumatic brain injury are not apparent until the individual attempts to return to a former job or relationships.
PHYICAL CONSEQUENCES OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:
In addition to impairment of mental functioning, traumatic brain injury is often accompanied by physical complaints and neurological side effects.
Some of the physical consequences include:
- Headaches
- Balance impairments
- Speech impairments
- Blurry vision and difficulty reading
- Chronic fatigue
- Seizure disorders and Epilepsy
- Sensitivity to loud noises
- Sensitivity to bright lights
Academy 1st Vice President, Shana De Caro, Esq. with Academy Secretary, James Vititoe, Esq. at Civil Justice Foundation annual meeting. Both Shana De Caro, and James Vititoe are members of the Civil Justice Foundation, Board of Trustees.
The brain injury lawyers who are members of the American Academy of Brain Injury Attorneys are dedicated to assisting persons with a brain injury, their spouses and family and helping them regain control of their lives. In searching for a brain injury lawyer, you need an attorney and law firm with knowledge and experience in representing victims of head trauma. You need brain injury lawyers who understand the tragic and life long consequences of brain injury to fully protect your rights.