Cognitive
Attention and concentration problems
A brain injury can affect attention or concentration abilities, leading to problems with work, study and everyday living.
Read moreEffects of Brain Injury
Cognitive
Memory Problems and Tips
Short-term memory loss is very common after a brain injury – thankfully there are plenty of coping strategies available. Typical situations include forgetting people's names, losing a train of thought, getting lost at the shops, repeating or forgetting past conversations, misplacing objects and difficulty learning new skills.
Read moreCognitive
Perseveration (Repetition)
Perseveration is repetitive and continuous behavior, speech or thought that occurs due to changes in cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and mental flexibility.
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Decision-making and Brain Injury
Decision-making ranges from minor decisions, such as what to have for dinner, to major life-changing ones, such as changing careers.
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Motivation and initiation (Adynamia)
Some brain injuries can result in a loss of motivation and difficulty in getting started with activities.
Read morePhysical
Managing fatigue
Fatigue is a common and highly disabling symptom experienced by people with a brain injury.
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Sleep Issues
Lack of sleep has a negative effect on our ability to think, mood, energy levels and appetite. The average person needs around eight hours sleep a night or will suffer from decreased concentration, energy and many other problems.
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Headaches
Headaches are a common and often persistent problem after acquiring a brain injury. Headaches can arise after damage to different structures both inside and outside the head.
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Epilepsy and Other Seizures
Epilepsy is recurring brief episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to uncontrolled convulsions and unconsciousness, or a momentary loss of awareness.
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Sensory and perceptual problems
Sensory and perceptual problems arise from damage to the right side of the brain or the parietal and occipital lobes of the brain.
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Balance problems and dizziness
Dizziness and balance problems are common after a brain injury. This can result in problems with movement even when there is no loss of function in the limbs themselves.
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Hearing Impairment After a Brain Injury
A brain injury can result in a variety of hearing difficulties due to damage caused to both mechanical and neurological processes.
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Sexual changes
Acquired brain injury (ABI) can have a number of consequences for an individual’s sexual functioning.
Read morePsychological
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks occur when the body reacts as if it is in grave danger in a situation where there is no imminent threat.
Read morePsychological
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression is a serious disorder that impacts on a person physically, emotionally and even cognitively - slowing thought processes and reducing the ability to concentrate.
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Brain injury and suicide risks
People with an acquired brain injury may be at risk of suicide at some stage of their recovery process. It is very important for family members and friends to recognise the danger signs, know how to help and who to turn to for advice or referral.
Read moreBehavioural
Anger
Anger is a very common emotional response after a brain injury and can be directly related to impairments caused by the injury and difficulties with self-regulation.
Read moreBehavioural
Impulsive behaviour
Injury to the frontal lobes after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect the area of the brain that normally controls our impulses.
Read moreBehavioural
Self-centredness
The ability to view the world from someone else’s point of view is a complex cognitive skill that occurs in the frontal lobes of the brain.
Read moreBehavioural
Impaired Awareness
Lack of self-awareness is a common outcome for people who sustain brain injuries with frontal lobe damage. Their inability to self-monitor and self-correct behaviour can lead to challenging behaviours.
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Domestic violence
Challenging behaviours after a brain injury can sometimes lead to domestic violence within a family.
Read moreCognitive
Problems with Organising
Most people with an ABI will initially find some difficulty with prioritising, sequencing,organising, starting, and completing tasks.
Read morePsychological
Brain injury and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
While the general effects of brain injury can often include a level emotional distress, affecting your ongoing health and well-being, it’s not uncommon for people with a brain injury to experience more specific symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Read morePhysical
Communication Disorders After a Brain Injury
A brain injury can affect a person’s ability to communicate by impairing their hearing, speech and cognitive processing.
Read morePsychological
Stress, Anxiety and Brain Injury
While stress is part of everyday life and a natural reaction when major change occurs, its impact can be much greater following brain injury.
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Developing Mental Illness after a Brain Injury
Brain injury is a known risk factor for developing a mental illness, while some people with brain injury will have a pre-existing mental illness. Either way, dealing with both can cause additional stress for the person and their family after a brain injury.
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