The brain remains at least somewhat of a mystery to the science and medical industries. They may have mapped parts of the brain, but they do not have all the answers when it comes to what happens when it suffers a trauma.
For instance, if you have a loved one who suffered a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, it could be some time before all of the repercussions of it become clear. Behavioral changes are common, and your loved one may never fully recover depending on the severity of the damage.
Common behavioral issues
Your loved one may experience one or more of the following behavioral issues in the aftermath of a TBI:
- Your loved one could experience short-term memory problems, which are common among those who suffer from a TBI.
- Amnesia is also a possibility, and it may center only on certain events such as the accident. Those memories may never return.
- Certain personality traits of your loved one prior to the accident may now be exaggerated or disappear altogether.
- New personality traits could emerge. For instance, a previously easygoing person may now anger easily.
- Your loved one may no longer exhibit emotional responses, such as laughing, smiling, crying, enthusiasm and more.
- Your loved one could exhibit aggressive behaviors.
- He or she could have trouble concentrating and paying attention.
- It’s possible that your loved one could exhibit inappropriate sexual behavior after a TBI.
- Your loved one may not even realize that he or she now has these and other deficits.
With certain therapies, some of these behavioral issues could improve, but others may not. If you serve as your loved one’s caregiver, you may need assistance in helping him or her. Depending on the severity of the behavioral changes, your loved one may no longer be able to work and could have trouble in social settings.
Your family life may change forever. Between his or her medical and medical-related needs, the loss of an income, and other damages, the family’s financial situation will more than likely take a turn for the worse. If the accident that caused your loved one’s injury resulted from the negligence or recklessness of another party or parties, it may be possible to pursue compensation to help with the financial losses associated with the accident and the injuries your loved one suffered.