Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when a severe jolt or blow to the head leads to brain damage. It can also result when an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel, pierces the brain.
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBIs are commonly caused by sports injuries, falls, acts of violence, and collisions involving drivers or bikers. Symptoms can appear immediately after the incident or gradually emerge in the days that follow. A concussion, which is a type of TBI, results from a hit to the head or body that causes rapid movement of the head and brain. A person should seek medical attention after a severe blow to the head, especially if it seems to have altered the person’s behavior.
Injuries are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe based on how long the person was disoriented and unconscious , as well as on brain scan results. People with TBIs can experience symptoms that differ in nature and degree. They may experience headaches, nausea, disorientation, drowsiness, trouble sleeping , slurred speech, or loss of consciousness. They may also struggle with concentration , memory , decision-making , impulse control, anger , and depression . In the sensory domain, they may hear ringing in their ears, have vision impairments, or be especially sensitive to light and sound.
TBIs are quite common. About 2.87 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths were attributed to TBIs in the United States in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of TBIs increased by 53 percent between 2006 and 2014. In 2019, there were 61,000 TBI-related deaths.
Concussions are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, but early recognition is key to recovery. According to the CDC, signs of a concussion include:
How a Head Injury Can Change Behavior
Head injuries have the capacity to alter behavior, and those changes depend on the severity and number of injuries. Short-term changes include feeling dizzy, confused, and exhausted. An injured person could have a headache, nausea, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Most people recover smoothly within a few weeks and show no permanent harm. But in some cases, lasting changes occur. People who suffer a TBI may lose the ability to concentrate as intently as they did previously, which may manifest at work, in conversations, or in household tasks. They may struggle to remember events or facts. Personality may shift as well: One may become more irritable, angry, or impulsive, or less able to exercise self-control . TBI sufferers may struggle with depression and anxiety, as well as sleep disturbances.
Repeated concussions can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disorder that may be linked to severe changes in memory and impulse control, anxiety and depression, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Many prominent athletes have posthumously been diagnosed with CTE—which has triggered a global discussion about the science, ethics , and commercialization of football and other contact sports.
Yes, there seems to be a clear connection between TBI and psychiatric symptoms. A 2013 study that followed 1.4 million Danish citizens found that individuals with TBI were four times more likely to develop a mental illness. People who received a TBI were 65 percent more likely to develop schizophrenia, 59 percent more likely to develop depression, and 28 percent more likely to develop bipolar disorder .
Treatment, Recovery, and Coping Skills
It's important to seek medical attention for any head injury, even if there are no immediately apparent symptoms. (Brain swelling may take hours or longer to manifest.)
Mild TBIs, which include concussions, are treated with rest and over-the-counter medication for headaches. The person can then gradually resume physical and mental tasks in accordance with a doctor's guidance, so as not to overwork the brain or prevent a full recovery.
Moderate and severe injuries are treated with a combination of medication, surgery, and rehabilitative therapies. Patients are first stabilized to prevent further injury, which may include controlling blood pressure and ensuring proper blood flow to the brain. Surgery may be necessary to repair a fracture in the skull, remove blood clots, or drain excess fluid from the brain. Medications may be prescribed to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants), stop seizures (anticonvulsants), or address anxiety and depression (antianxiety and antidepressant medications).
Patients may engage in a variety of therapies. Physical therapy can help one regain strength and movement, occupational therapy can restore the ability to carry out daily tasks, speech therapy can improve communication, and cognitive therapy can hone memory and concentration.
Explore More About Traumatic Brain Injury
For a comprehensive understanding of traumatic brain injury, read our complete guide: