Veterans

28% of Australian Defence Force personnel have experienced a brain injury in their lifetime. The most common causes of brain injuries amongst Australian Defence Force personnel are motor vehicle accidents, but other causes include falls and blast exposure.*

Symptoms that can occur following a brain injury include; problems with memory, balance, sleep and concentration, headaches, tinnitus, sensitivity to light or other visual disturbance, fatigue and irritability. This can make it hard to detect a brain injury in many veterans as the symptoms can overlap with psychological conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A brain injury can also have a long-term impact on a veteran and their loved ones. Changes to personality and social skills can be confronting and difficult to overcome without support.

Peak bodies supporting veterans believe that Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) may also be affecting Australian Defence Force personnel due to the frequent exposure to head traumas that veterans may experience in the line of duty. Currently, there is little evidence to support this as CTE is a repetitive head injury that can currently only be diagnosed by examination of the brain at autopsy.**

Synapse sheds light on how veterans are living with mostly undiagnosed brain injuries because of their service. The Australian Defence Force needs to ensure their personnel are being screened for brain injuries after periods of service, or specific incidents (such as being frequent blast exposure or when they’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident).

Synapse supports veterans impacted by brain injury. Our team provides information and referral to relevant services to Australian Defence Force personnel who have been diagnosed or suspect that they may be suffering from a brain injury.