Psychological Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a form of brain damage caused by a blow to the head or a forceful movement of the body that causes the brain to collide with the skull. Every year about 1.4 million Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries. The consequences can range from mild and temporary changes in mental functioning to permanent disability or even death.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a head injury due to another party’s negligence, you may be able to receive repayment for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. For more information, call Orlando personal injury lawyer Todd Miner at 407-420-4040.
TBI and Mental Health
Many people who suffer from traumatic brain injuries experience changes in their mental health that can seriously disrupt their lives, as well as the lives of their loved ones. Some psychological conditions that can be caused (or sometimes exacerbated) by a brain injury include:
- Reduced control over one’s emotions or impulses
- Depression (loss of interest in one’s life, persistent feelings of hopelessness, etc.)
- Mania (a mental state marked by impulsiveness, racing thoughts, and sometimes aggression)
- Mood swings
- Hallucinations (usually auditory, sometimes visual)
- Delusions
- New and persistent phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Patients without a proper support system often have a very difficult time managing such extreme changes in their lives. As a result, they can be at an increased risk for drug or alcohol addiction, dangerous behaviors, and criminal charges. Unfortunately, studies suggest that up to 40% of TBI victims are not receiving the full support and treatments they need.
Contact an Orlando Brain Injury Attorney
The counseling and medical treatments required by TBI can be very costly. If you or a loved one has suffered such an injury because of another party’s actions, you should not have to carry this burden alone. To learn about your legal options, contact Orlando head injury lawyer Todd Miner at 407-420-4040.