Brain Injury Resources Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Date Created
Date Modified

question

What are the consequences of Brain Injury (BI)?

answer

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