Effects of a Severe Brain Injury

Many accident victims sustain head trauma, whether they are in a traffic accident, suffer a fall, or are hit by some type of object. Even with the skull protecting the brain, any type of trauma to the head can cause the brain to hit the skull, resulting in damage to the delicate brain tissue. Even mild damage1 can temporarily impair certain functioning, and severe damage2 can leave victims living with permanent impairments.Because different parts of the brain are responsible for different types of functions, the effects of brain injuries can vary vastly depending on the location of the injury and the severity of the damage. The following are some examples of different possible effects of a brain injury.

Cognitive

A major part of the brain is cognitive functioning, which we use every day in learning, comprehension, and even the most basic communications. Any disruption of cognitive functioning can impair your ability to work, attend school, or even engage in social activities. Cognitive impairments can include:

• Translating thoughts into verbal or written communications
• Difficulty with timed tasks
• Trouble understanding and following instructions
• Memory problems
• Weakened ability to focus or concentrate

Physical

Brain injuries can also affect the way our brain controls the way our body moves. This can manifest itself in many ways and is often the most obvious effect of a brain injury from an outside perspective. Physical impairments include:

• Lack of balance
• Loss of coordination
• Favoring one side of the body over the other
• Weaker muscle control
• Sensory issues
• Behavioral/Emotional

As if facing cognitive and physical challenges is not enough, brain injuries can also affect your emotions and behaviors. Some of these effects include:

• Developing mood disorders
• Irritability or impatience
• Lack of emotional control
• Anger or aggression
• Personality changes
• Inability to express appropriate emotions
• Expression of inappropriate emotions