The Challenges of Behavior After Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can be difficult not only for the person who suffers from one but also for family members and co-workers. There can be significant behavioral challenges that follow a brain injury. It is only natural that the person who has experienced the brain injury is confused and disoriented, and their behavior is a reflection of that.

Because of the neurological disruption caused by a head injury, cognitive behavior and social skills may change. Although some symptoms are more typical than others, not all that suffer a brain injury will have these behaviors. Some of the most common behaviors are:

• • Temper Outbursts: Even minor events can cause an outburst. Persons with a TBI often show more frequent anger and irritability. It is more difficult for them to control emotional and verbal responses and their actions seem irrational. These temper outbursts are usually not violent.

• • Lack of Emotions: Sometimes a TBI victim may not show strong emotional responses to things. This is a stage of withdrawal and signs of confusion.

• • Inappropriate Behavior: A lot of times they are unaware of how comments or behaviors affect those around them. The say things without thinking. Unfiltered comments may be insensitive, rude or irrelevant. Social situations and crowds can be more confusing and may increase this behavior. They have an inability to block or manage impulses.

• • Agitation and Restlessness: Loss of memory and a short attention span makes it difficult to stay focused. People with a TBI can also have poor reasoning skills. All of this can contribute to agitation or restlessness.

• Denial of Disability: Many people with a TBI don’t fully understand what has happened and that a brain injury has changed their situation. They believe they are able to handle tasks that they may not be able to do.

It is important to remember that when a person shows these behaviors, they are not doing so because they want to. Their brain has been injured and is affecting all their emotional, physical and cognitive responses. Whether the behavior problems are mild or severe, there is support out there.

As a result, those suffering the effects of traumatic brain injury need legal representation every bit as specialized as the medical care they seek. An experienced brain injury lawyer should be familiar with the brain, the neurological system and the various effects and types of brain injury, and have the resources to conduct a proper investigation into the causes.