Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Encyclopedia Entry
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Overview
Site Directory: | Main | History
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Overview
Traumatic brain injury happens when the brain is suddenly pushed against the skull and damaged. Anything that damages the brain can cause a traumatic brain injury, but the most common traumatic brain injuries happen when the head is suddenly slowed down, such as car wrecks, falls, or diving accidents. Traumatic brain injury is a very complicated disability - people with similar accidents can show very different symptoms because the injury may happen at different parts on the brain.
In most TBI accidents, the person is unconscious for a while. Whether a person is unconscious for just a little while (minutes), or for a long time (weeks), after the person "recovers" they will almost always have some problems doing things. They may also have trouble keeping a job. Some problems are easy to see right away but others may not show up for a while (delayed onset). Generally, the longer a person is unconscious, the more serious the damage to their brain is and, therefore, the worse the person's problems will be.
However, even if a person remains conscious or is only unconscious for a few seconds, there can be a brain injury that causes small changes in the person's feelings, thoughts, and behavior. These small changes can sometimes cause problems for the person and their family.
Traumatic Brain Injuries are one type of brain injuries, but there are other ways the brain can be damaged, such as a stroke. A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked for a while by a clot. Without oxygen from the blood, part of the brain will be damaged. Other medical problems besides strokes can also cause brain injuries.
Because the brain is so complicated, an injury to the brain can cause many different types of problems. Sometimes it seems like almost any kind of problem could be caused by a traumatic brain injury. Here are some of the most common kinds of problems people have after a traumatic brain injury.
Memory Problems - TBI often causes problems with memory. A person with a TBI will forget things people tell them or forget where they put things. They may get overwhelmed easily if someone gives them a lot of instructions to remember at once. When they are tired, these problems may get worse. Because of this, someone with a TBI may get confused easily. In addition, people who have TBI may not remember skills that they had before the injury.
Speaking Problems -TBI also can cause problems with words and speaking, but the problems vary from person to person. For example, some people may not be able understand what someone is trying to say, and others may have trouble saying what they are thinking - they just can't "find" the words.
Personality Changes - Personality changes are also common in people with TBI. Families may feel that the injured person has become a "different person", as if the person who came home from the hospital is not the same person they used to know. Friends and families will notice that the person may get angry more often, may not be very organized anymore, may do things "on an impulse" all the time, may seem rude or inconsiderate, or many other things. When children experience a traumatic brain injury, the full effects of their disability may not show up until years later when they are teenagers. Some people get divorced after a TBI because of the personality changes.
Sexual Behavior - Some TBI survivors also show inappropriate sexual behavior. They may grab themselves or other people in sexual ways, or they may suddenly kiss someone in public. They may ask someone they hardly know to have sex with them. They may tell dirty jokes at the wrong time. In general, these kinds of problems are caused by trouble controlling their urges.
Impulse Control - Some of the TBI problems, like the sexual behavior problems, are caused by problems controlling impulses or urges. Most of us have impulses and urges to do things all the time that we don't act on. We may want to run away from a bad situation, or hit someone, or kiss someone, but we don't because we know it is not appropriate. Some TBI survivors do not realize what is not appropriate, or may not even think about it. They may just act on every urge they have.
Anger - After a TBI, people may get angry a lot and over what seem like minor incidents to other people. They may get mad about having to eat a salad, or the way someone looks at them, or the fact that people keep telling them they are different since their accident. Or they may cry a lot.
Future Accidents - After a TBI, many people are clumsy for a while and have to relearn some basic skills like walking and writing. This means that someone with a TBI is likely to have more accidents and possibly get a second TBI. In addition, the possible memory and thinking problems can increase the chance they will have more accidents.
Remember that these are possible effects and not everyone who experience TBI will demonstrate them. Also, each person will show some unique problems. For instance, Karen was right handed before her accident but was left handed for several months after the accident, then she became right handed again.
On the job, a person who has survived a TBI may not seem to fit in with other people. They are often not as self aware as other people - they may not realize how they are acting, what is going on around them, or when they are interfering with other people's jobs. They may also have trouble reading social situations, such as telling when they are annoying someone, or when someone else wants some time alone. These are things most people do not say directly, but show by "body language" and tone of voice, which TBI survivors can have a hard time interpreting.
Because many TBI survivors can have some trouble learning new tasks, a steady routine at work is often very important to them. They will generally feel most comfortable if they are doing the same type of thing every day, in the same place, at the same time. They may not deal well with jobs that involve a lot of changes and "thinking on your feet". This may make them appear clumsy or confused when they are trying to deal with changing situations.
TBI can also cause emotional problems for people. They may get depressed easily, feeling isolated from other people and not want to do anything. They may get angry and irritable easily and lash out at other people. On the job, a steady routine can often help them avoid these mood problems.