About Brain Injury
What is a brain injury?
Every 9 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury. Yet there are many misconceptions and gaps in knowledge among the general public. A brain injury affects how a person thinks, acts, and feels. The symptoms and impacts are wide ranging and can change everything about someone in a matter of seconds. This event affects both the survivor and their support network, so it’s important to keep some things in mind when interacting with a survivor. The most important things to remember are:
- A person with a brain injury is a person first.
- No two injuries are exactly the same.
- The effects of the injury are complex and vary greatly from person to person.
- The effects of the injury depend on factors such as cause, location, and severity.
What is an Acquired Brain Injury?
An (ABI) is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma. Essentially, this type of brain injury is one that has occured after birth. The injury results in a change to the brain's neuronal activity, which affects the physical integrity, metabolic activity, or functional ability of nerve cells in the brain.
There are two types of acquired brain injury:
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury, also called a TBI, occurs when brain function is altered by an external force. This can happen when something strikes the head, the head hits something, or a jolt causes sudden brain movement.
Non-Traumatic Brain Injury
A non-traumatic brain injury causes damage to the brain by internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, or pressure from a tumor. In this instance, “traumatic” refers to the cause of the injury, not in the psychological sense. Non-traumatic brain injuries can still result in psychological trauma.
Individuals with brain injury may experience:
Cognitive Effects
- Memory loss
- Attention & concentration difficulties
- Slowed processing
- Impaired planning, reasoning, and judgment
- Difficulty learning new skills
- Trouble organizing thoughts or tasks
- Difficulty with problem-solving
Emotional & Behavioral Effects
- Depression and anxiety
- Irritability and impulsivity
- Aggression or frustration outbursts
- Difficulty controlling emotions
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Social withdrawal or apathy
- Changes in personality or temperament
Brain Injury in Pennsylvania
For more information on brain injury:
It is important for you to find physicians, therapists, and treatment providers who have experience with Brain Injury or who will refer you to someone who does. No matter the severity level, from concussion to a catastrophic injury, rehabilitation care is necessary to address medical, cognitive, behavioral & vocational issues, as is starting a record of what is happening. Treatments & medications vary significantly. It is not uncommon that different methods will be trialed before finding the right combination.
