Personality Changes and Traumatic Brain Injury:
When someone you love suffers a traumatic brain injury, it can be devastating to them and your entire family. A CDC report from the late 90s stated that TBI was a leading cause of death and disability among children and adults in the U.S. Not much has changed in the last two decades. While many of us think of TBI as something limited to football players or veterans of war, traumatic brain injury is widespread. The CDC estimates that TBI affects more than 2.8 million people every year.If you’re living with a partner whose personality has changed because of a TBI, it can be challenging and frustrating. But it’s good to know that this is normal and there may be help available.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) generally happens with a hard blow to the head or a jolt to either the head or body. If an object like a bullet or shard goes through the brain, it can also cause a TBI. If the TBI is serious, it can cause bleeding, bruising, torn brain tissue, or other brain damage that results in death or chronic problems. But even mild TBI can affect your brain cells in the short term.TBI physical symptoms can range from mild to serious and include:
- Fatigue,
- Nausea or vomiting,
- Difficulty speaking,
- Headaches,
- Loss of balance or dizziness,
- Loss of coordination,
- Dilation of the pupils,
- Seizures,
- Weakness in fingers and toes,
- Tinnitus,
- Blurry vision, and
- Light sensitivity.
Cognitive and behavioral symptoms of TBI can include:
- Mood swings and mood changes,
- Personality changes,
- Loss of consciousness,
- Slurred speech,
- Confusion or disorientation,
- Depression or anxiety,
- Combativeness or aggressiveness,
- Sleeping problems, or
- Memory or concentration problems.
Treatments for TBI Symptoms
While mild TBI often needs no treatment, if your loved one is experiencing personality changes, you may seek help from:
- Neuropsychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Social worker or case manager
- TBI specialist
- Rehabilitation nurse or
- Your primary care physician.
These medical providers can offer additional resources, medication, and therapies to help get life back to normal. You can also find a support group near you for people with TBI and their caregivers and families.
Consult a Lawyer with Experience
If someone in your family faces a traumatic brain injury after an accident, call us today. We can help, and you don’t have to go through this alone. Give the Madeksho Law Firm a call at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us online. Your initial consultation is free, and you never pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
