Changes After Traumatic Brain Injury

September 14, 2024
Changes After Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury affects millions of Americans annually.  And often, the person affected may not know they have suffered a brain injury or that the symptoms they experience post-injury are related to their injury. Understanding the changes after traumatic brain injury and receiving help can significantly impact the person and their loved one’s lives.

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injury, often referred to as TBI, is a change in brain pathology caused by an external force. Traumatic brain injury can be caused by many sources such as motor-vehicular accidents, falls, sports injuries, combat-related injuries, gunshots, or abuse.

What Are Changes After Traumatic Brain Injury That Can Happen?

 Medical Changes after Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Autonomic storming: Acute disorders that cause changes in blood temperature, blood pressure, rapid heart rate, respiratory rate, muscle stiffness, and sweating.
  • Bladder Issues: Can cause a neurogenic bladder/incontinence due to body having difficulty with bladder control
  • Aspiration: If the patient has difficulty with swallowing
  • Seizures: People with TBIs are 1.5-17 times more likely than the general population to develop seizures. TBIs account for 5% of all epilepsy cases.
  • Cranial Nerve Damage
  • Pain
  • Headaches
  • Neuroendocrine disorders: Can increase the risk for hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, Gonadotropin deficiency, pituitary gland issues

Physical Changes after Traumatic Brain Injury

  • High muscle tone
  • Overactive body responses
  • Changes in sensation (over-sensitive or numbness/tingling)
  • Perceptual deficits
  • Sexual dysfunction

Sleep Changes after Traumatic Brain Injury and Fatigue

  • Up to 70% of those with TBI complain of fatigue. Fatigue can be mental, physical, and/or psychological.
  • TBI can lead to sleep disturbances such as insomnia, interrupted sleep, or changes to sleep pattern.

Behavioral Changes After Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Impulse control: Areas of the brain that control impulses can be damaged which results in impulsivity. Those with these difficulties may be prone to “acting before thinking” which can cause dangerous situations. Or the person may be more prone to using crass or crude language.
  • Emotional dysregulation: Many of those with brain injury, particularly in the acute stage, may have difficulty controlling their emotions. They may burst into tears randomly or start laughing inappropriately during a serious conversation.
  • Anger: Some patients may jump to anger more quickly than they used to. This could be due to emotional dysregulation or they may be becoming over stimulated by their environment. Many times, processing becomes harder after a brain injury which means normal interactions may become more taxing. Being in a noisy room or being asked a lot of questions can become overwhelming.
  • Depression/No motivation: Try to remember that those who undergo brain injury are dealing with many changes. They may not be able to drive anymore or they may have to depend on others for dressing/bathing/feeding. This is a hard transition. Not only are they going through medical and mental changes but their role in life has changed, even if temporarily. This is a good time to try support groups or mental health assistance.

Cognitive Changes after Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Psychiatric issues: Increases risk for OCD, anxiety, psychotic episodes, mood disorders, and major depression
  • Apraxia: loss of ability to perform actions that the person is physically able to do.

Examples:

    • Ideomotor apraxia is the inability to figure out the proper movement when asked, such as waving.
    • Ideational apraxia is the inability to sequence an activity correctly such as dress, bathing, cooking.
    • Verbal apraxia is a condition involving difficulty coordinating mouth and speech movements.
  • Decreased Attention: May not be able to sustain attention, multi-task, or perform divided attention.
  • Lack of Awareness: May not be aware of their deficits or limitations.

Getting Help for Changes After Traumatic Brain Injury

Even though there may be many changes happening to you or someone you know, that does not mean those changes are permanent. There are a variety of things that can help TBI survivors regain control of their lives.  Many people find Mental Health counseling tremendously helpful.  Your counselor can help you manage stress and interprete self talk and interactions with others more accurately.  Neuro Rehab is another key component of recovery.  Neuro rehab therapists provide specialized services which focus on helping people understand, manage, and improve their various symptoms.  Occupational Therapy can help you regain hand function, improve visual function, become independent with activities of daily living, and provide driving rehab services.  Physical Therapy can help you regain functional mobility and walking, improve strength and balance, and manage pain and spasticity. Speech Therapy can help you organize your thoughts, improve your attention and memory, work on swallowing and articulation issues, and give you strategies to control your emotions and more sucessfully interact with others.   

Therapy Achievements specializes in Neuro Rehab and has certified Brain Injury Specialists ready to assist you.  Our therapists are not only expert at helping people with brain injury, but have the kindness and compassion it takes to make the difference. Call for an appointmentment today! 

References:

Kolakowsky‐Hayner S, Reyst H, Abashian M eds.  The Essential Brain Injury Guide. 5th

ed.  Vienna, VA:   Brain Injury Association of America; 2016