What is traumatic brain injury (tbi)?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that impacts how the brain works. This can be caused by a bump to the head or an injury like a fall that jars or shakes the head or body. A TBI can also be caused by an object entering the brain, such as through violence or a car crash.

It will take time for you to get better. You may worry about how you are feeling. This is normal. TBIs often have long-term effects. These include:

• Not thinking clearly, or having trouble remembering new information.
• Having headaches, vision problems, or dizziness.
• Feeling sad or nervous.
• Getting angry easily.
• Sleeping more or less than usual.

No one will be able to tell you for sure how long the symptoms will last. But there are things you can do to help yourself get better.

You may need another person to watch you closely to make sure that your symptoms aren't getting worse. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long you need someone to stay with you.

Symptoms range from mild to severe and can last for hours, days, weeks, months, or years. Symptoms could include headaches, vision problems, dizziness, or having trouble remembering. They may also include changes in your mood or how you sleep. More severe symptoms could include speech problems, seizures, passing out, stroke symptoms, or a coma.

Treatment depends on your injury and how bad it is. A mild brain injury may be treated with medicine and rest. Treatment for a severe injury may include medicine, fluids, help with breathing, or surgery. You may also need long-term treatment. This may include counseling, physical and occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy.

The doctor will ask you questions about the injury. You'll be checked for physical signs of a brain injury. The doctor may order imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI to check your brain for bruising or bleeding. You may need other tests.

What you and your doctors can do

Different types of therapy and support may used to help you recover from a TBI. Follow the plan your doctor suggests. This may include:

• Physical and occupational therapy. These help you return to daily activities and live as independently as possible.
• Speech and language therapy. You may need help understanding and producing language. Speech and language therapists also help you organize daily tasks and develop problem-solving methods.
• Counseling. This can help you understand your thoughts and learn ways to cope with your feelings. Counseling can help you feel more in control. It can help get you back to your life's activities.
• Social support and support groups. It's important that you get the chance to talk with people who are going through the same things you are. Your family or friends may be able to support you.
• Medicines. These may help relieve symptoms like sleep problems, chronic pain, and headaches. Medicine can also help if you have anxiety, depression, or memory problems. Talk with your doctor about what medicines might be best for you. Also ask which medicines you should not take.

What you can do

Here are some ways you can help yourself:

• Get plenty of sleep, and take it easy during the day. Rest is the best way to recover.
• Don't drink alcohol or use drugs.
• Don't drive a car, ride a bike, or operate machinery until your doctor says it's okay.
• Ask your doctor when it is okay to return to sports or athletics.
• Avoid activities that are physically or mentally demanding. These include housework, exercise, schoolwork, video games, text messaging, or using the computer. You may need to change your school or work schedule for a while.
• If you feel irritable, get away from whatever is bothering you.

Long after the brain injury, you may still feel mental and physical effects (postconcussive syndrome), or new symptoms may develop.

Headaches.

They are especially common after a brain injury, even months later. You may find that your headaches evolve into chronic pain, which can make even the lightest activities difficult.

Thinking skills.

Brain injuries can affect how well you can concentrate. It may be hard for you to learn a lot of new information all at once. You may not be able to remember things that just happened.

Communication.

You may have trouble expressing yourself clearly or understanding what other people are saying. When you talk in a group of people, you might find it hard to keep up.

Emotions.

You may feel anxious or depressed, have rapid mood changes, or lose interest in things you used to enjoy. Your emotional ups and downs may be tied to struggles with speaking, thinking, and memory.

Sleep.

You may have changes in your sleep patterns, such as not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep, or sleeping much more of the time. Not getting good sleep can affect how well you recover and how severely other symptoms affect you.

Substance use disorder.

You may use drugs or alcohol to get rid of feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress or to feel normal or accepted. If you are having problems with drugs or alcohol, treatment can help. The first step is often detoxification, along with medical care.

Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Along with the physical damage from a brain injury, you might have long-lasting effects from the trauma of the injury. You may have fears about a loss of safety and control in your life. You may pull away from other people, work all the time, or use drugs or alcohol. It's important to get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Talk to your family doctor. Or, if you're a veteran, contact your local VA hospital or Vet Center.

Developmental problems.

In children, a brain injury, even a mild one, can interrupt the brain's development. This can have a permanent effect on a child's ability to keep up with their peers. If your child has had a head injury, call your doctor for advice on what to do.

If you find that you are feeling sad or blue or aren't enjoying the activities or hobbies that you enjoyed in the past, talk to your doctor about these feelings. You may have depression, which is common with chronic pain and other symptoms of a brain injury.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from a mild concussion to a severe head injury. It is caused by a blow to the head or body, a wound that breaks through the skull (such as from a gunshot), a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain. This can cause bruising, swelling, or tearing of brain tissue.

With rest, most people fully recover from a mild brain injury. But some people who have had a severe or repeated brain injury may have long-lasting problems with movement, learning, or speaking.

If someone you care about has had a traumatic brain injury, you may feel helpless. It's hard to watch someone who used to be active or happy become inactive, struggle with speech and memory, or suffer from chronic pain. But there are some things you can do to help.

• Help the person get treatment or stay in treatment.
• Encourage and support the person.
• Learn about brain injuries and the long-lasting symptoms that can interrupt a life.
• Help the person have good health habits, such as being active, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and limiting alcohol.
• Help the person take it one day at a time, setting small goals on the way to getting better.
• If the person isn't getting better, help them get treatment with a doctor who specializes in brain injury.

It's possible for long-lasting effects of a brain injury to lead to depression. And depression can lead to suicide.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.