Effects will vary based on the type of condition, the nature and location of the injury, and a variety of other contributing factors. For example, while degenerative disorders typically impact the body’s ability to control movement, other brain injuries may have an impact on cognition, personality and behaviour.
Understanding how different effects specifically impact a person allows for appropriate management strategies and support to be put in place.
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.
Read moreWhile stress is part of everyday life and a natural reaction when major change occurs, its impact can be much greater following brain injury.
Read moreA brain injury can affect a person’s ability to communicate by impairing their hearing, speech and cognitive processing.
Read moreWhile 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 moreMost people with an ABI will initially find some difficulty with prioritising, sequencing,organising, starting, and completing tasks.
Read moreChallenging behaviours after a brain injury can sometimes lead to domestic violence within a family.
Read moreLack 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.
Read moreThe 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 moreInjury to the frontal lobes after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect the area of the brain that normally controls our impulses.
Read moreAnger 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 morePeople 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 moreClinical depression is a serious disorder that impacts on a person physically, emotionally and even cognitively - slowing thought processes and reducing the ability to concentrate.
Read morePanic attacks occur when the body reacts as if it is in grave danger in a situation where there is no imminent threat.
Read moreAcquired brain injury (ABI) can have a number of consequences for an individual’s sexual functioning.
Read moreA brain injury can result in a variety of hearing difficulties due to damage caused to both mechanical and neurological processes.
Read moreDizziness 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.
Read moreSensory and perceptual problems arise from damage to the right side of the brain or the parietal and occipital lobes of the brain.
Read moreEpilepsy is recurring brief episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to uncontrolled convulsions and unconsciousness, or a momentary loss of awareness.
Read moreHeadaches 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.
Read moreLack 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.
Read moreFatigue is a common and highly disabling symptom experienced by people with a brain injury.
Read moreSome brain injuries can result in a loss of motivation and difficulty in getting started with activities.
Read moreDecision-making ranges from minor decisions, such as what to have for dinner, to major life-changing ones, such as changing careers.
Read morePerseveration is repetitive and continuous behavior, speech or thought that occurs due to changes in cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and mental flexibility.
Read moreShort-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 moreA brain injury can affect attention or concentration abilities, leading to problems with work, study and everyday living.
Read moreThese effects stem from damage to areas of the brain that regulate emotions and impulses and include anger, impulsive behaviour, self-centeredness, impaired awareness and even violence. Changes in a person’s personality and social skills can be confronting and where possible, families should work with the rehabilitation team or specialists to respond consistently to challenging behaviour.
Challenging behaviours after a brain injury can sometimes lead to domestic violence within a family.
Read moreLack 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.
Read moreThe 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 moreInjury to the frontal lobes after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect the area of the brain that normally controls our impulses.
Read moreAnger 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 moreThis may mean that people with a brain injury become easily distracted, or experience information overload and be slower at taking in and making sense of information. There are strategies that can be put into place to help manage these effects and to improve concentration and attention.
Most people with an ABI will initially find some difficulty with prioritising, sequencing,organising, starting, and completing tasks.
Read moreSome brain injuries can result in a loss of motivation and difficulty in getting started with activities.
Read moreDecision-making ranges from minor decisions, such as what to have for dinner, to major life-changing ones, such as changing careers.
Read morePerseveration is repetitive and continuous behavior, speech or thought that occurs due to changes in cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and mental flexibility.
Read moreShort-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 moreA brain injury can affect attention or concentration abilities, leading to problems with work, study and everyday living.
Read moreThese physical effects can have an impact on your quality of life and make it harder to complete every day activities. It is important to develop strategies to minimise these effects, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undertaking physical therapy where necessary.
A brain injury can affect a person’s ability to communicate by impairing their hearing, speech and cognitive processing.
Read moreAcquired brain injury (ABI) can have a number of consequences for an individual’s sexual functioning.
Read moreA brain injury can result in a variety of hearing difficulties due to damage caused to both mechanical and neurological processes.
Read moreDizziness 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.
Read moreSensory and perceptual problems arise from damage to the right side of the brain or the parietal and occipital lobes of the brain.
Read moreEpilepsy is recurring brief episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to uncontrolled convulsions and unconsciousness, or a momentary loss of awareness.
Read moreHeadaches 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.
Read moreLack 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.
Read moreFatigue is a common and highly disabling symptom experienced by people with a brain injury.
Read moreAlthough these can be confronting topics, it is important to have an understanding of the impact brain injury has on mental health. Once you are aware of these impacts, a range of treatment and support options can be approached with your doctors and support team.
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.
Read moreWhile stress is part of everyday life and a natural reaction when major change occurs, its impact can be much greater following brain injury.
Read moreWhile 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 morePeople 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 moreClinical depression is a serious disorder that impacts on a person physically, emotionally and even cognitively - slowing thought processes and reducing the ability to concentrate.
Read morePanic attacks occur when the body reacts as if it is in grave danger in a situation where there is no imminent threat.
Read moreIf you’ve got questions or need advice, support or further information, get in touch with us today. We’d love to help