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The answer can vary based on the area of the brain affected and the severity of the injury. Some people may not have any behavioral effects from a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, while others may experience a significant shift in personality or behavior. Sometimes, TBI patients may become more impulsive, angry, depressed, or less self-aware. These effects can manifest in various ways, including angry outbursts, an increase in risk-taking behaviors, making large impulse purchases, an increase or decrease in sex drive, difficulties with motivation or initiating tasks, and other issues.
Helping a loved one with a TBI can be challenging. They may exhibit concerning new behaviors or experience a depressed mood or anxiety attacks. Sometimes family members express that their loved one seems like a different person since their head injury. In some situations, these changes can be temporary, but in other circumstances, they may be permanent. However, there may still be treatment options to help mitigate the symptoms and reduce challenging behaviors. Discuss any changes with your loved one’s medical care team so they can work on finding solutions.
Do You Need a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer?
Addressing a TBI’s behavioral and other long-term effects can take time and money. Meanwhile, you or your loved one may be unable to work, leading to a stack of medical bills you might not be able to pay. If your TBI was caused by another party’s negligence, you have a right to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
TBIs are often caused by car accidents, falls, gun violence, assaults, and sports injuries. In many of these situations, another party is responsible for the injury, but getting your damages paid may still be a complex process. An experienced attorney will locate any potential insurance policies covering this liability and file a claim on your behalf. Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay claims and may deny them for multiple reasons, but your lawyer will know how to fight these denials.
If you’ve already received a claim denial from an insurance company, you may want to call and convince them to reconsider. This is understandable, but unfortunately, it’s not the best solution. Insurance companies regularly record their calls; they might take anything you say out of context and use it as “evidence” that the accident was your fault. When you get a claim denial, don’t call the insurance company – instead, contact a Georgia traumatic brain injury lawyer. Insurance companies know that we have as much knowledge about the law and insurance policies as they do, and we’re not afraid to fight for our clients’ rights to compensation.
How Does Traumatic Brain Injury Affect Daily Life?
Again, this depends on the specific kind of injury you had, but here are some common effects of TBIs on daily life:
Social Difficulties, Personality Changes, and Behavioral Issues
Anger, outbursts, or impulsivity can severely affect your life. Rash impulsivity after a TBI is often due to damage in the frontal lobe, which can reduce inhibitions. This may look like a change in personality for some people. For example, a shy, introverted person may suddenly become more outgoing and talkative. But in some cases, impulsivity can take the form of inappropriate behavior – saying whatever comes to mind, overspending money, talking over people, or inappropriate sexual behavior. Additionally, people who become more impulsive may interrupt conversations, “lose their filter,” and say insulting or inappropriate things. These changes in behavior can lead to difficulties in social interactions and may even end relationships.
If you’re spending more money or making decisions your loved ones don’t understand, you may need to work with a therapist to learn how an increase in impulsivity or other personality changes have affected your life. There are treatments available, including behavioral therapy and medication, to help you get your impulses under control again.
Anger can stem from depression or anxiety, which is often a normal reaction to a stressful situation like a TBI. However, anger and uncharacteristic outbursts can also be caused by the TBI itself, resulting from damage to neurons in specific parts of the brain. Meanwhile, friends and family may not know why your behavior has changed and could withdraw from your outbursts, adding relationship problems to your list of challenges. However, your medical team should be able to help you determine where your anger is coming from and learn coping techniques to manage it. You may also benefit from medication and other treatments.
Cognitive Deficits
Some people struggle with memory, concentration, organization, or planning after a TBI. You might struggle to work or do household chores that used to be effortless or forget what you’re doing in the middle of a task. Some people create a system of Post-It notes in every room to help them with memory issues or have to set multiple alarms. Others may need to work with a therapist to find solutions for difficulties with reading or absorbing information. Your therapist might recommend a distraction-free environment or allowing more time to complete a task.
Movement, Balance, and Coordination Issues
These can also affect your daily life by making it hard for you to do simple tasks like standing, walking, or cooking breakfast. Depending on the extent of the damage, you might have mild symptoms like one-sided weakness or more severe difficulties requiring a wheelchair or other mobility aids. Some people need in-home assistance or physical and occupational therapy to help regain lost function or learn ways to work around challenges.
Speech and Language Difficulties
Several issues can impact speech and communication after a TBI. The muscles that control speech may be weakened, making it hard to talk, or your brain may have difficulty communicating with these muscles. Other people may be unable to think of the word or phrase they want or understand what they read or hear. Communication is essential in daily life, so these symptoms can prevent you from working, doing household chores, and even talking with friends or family. This can be very frustrating, but working with a speech therapist can help you improve your speech or find alternative communication methods.
Get Help From a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today
Changes in behavior or personality due to a TBI can wreak havoc on your life, causing financial strain and damaging personal relationships. In some cases, they can even cause you legal difficulties, such as being arrested. Getting treatment for these issues can be time-consuming and expensive, and many people struggle to pay their bills if they cannot work after a TBI. When a brain injury has impacted your life in this way, you need the help of an experienced Georgia brain injury lawyer’s help to get your life back on track.
If you’re dealing with behavioral changes or other effects of a TBI, please contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today for a free consultation. Attorney Ali Awad and his knowledgeable team will explore all options for seeking compensation, including liability insurance policies or a direct lawsuit against the responsible party or parties. There is no fee until we win or settle your case, so please call today to find your options.