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What are the consequences of Brain Injury (BI)?

Neurological impairment (motor, sensory and autonomic)
- Motor function impairment—coordination, balance, walking, hand function, speech
- Sensory loss—taste, touch, hearing, vision, smell
- Sleep disturbance—insomnia, fatigue
- Medical complications—spasticity, post-traumatic epilepsy, hydrocephalus, heterotopic ossification
- Sexual dysfunction
Cognitive impairment
- Memory impairment, difficulty with new learning, attention and concentration; reduced speed and flexibility of thought processing; impaired problem-solving skills
- Problems in planning, organizing, and making decisions
- Language problems—dysphasia, problems finding words, and impaired reading and writing skills
- Impaired judgment and safety awareness
Personality and behavioral changes
- Impaired social and coping skills, reduced self-esteem
- Altered emotional control; poor frustration tolerance and anger management; denial, and self-centerdness
- Reduced insight, disinhibition, impulsivity
- Psychiatric disorders—anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis
- Apathy, motivational states
Common lifestyle consequences
- Unemployment and financial hardship
- Inadequate academic achievement
- Lack of transportation alternatives
- Inadequate recreational opportunities
- Difficulties in maintaining interpersonal relationships, marital breakdown
- Loss of pre-injury roles; loss of independence

