Overview

Individuals who suffer from moderate or severe brain injury will face many challenges in their rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of the brain injury, the long lasting and in some cases even permanent affects on the brain can heavily impact the quality of life the individual goes on to live.

While recovery and rehabilitation is possible, the consequences of a brain injury will impact every aspect of a TBI survivor’s life which can include a change in their behaviour, struggles with relationships, work life, physical abilities and quality of life. 

Overview

Individuals who suffer from moderate or severe brain injury will face many challenges in their rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of the brain injury, the long lasting and in some cases even permanent affects on the brain can heavily impact the quality of life the individual goes on to live.

While recovery and rehabilitation is possible, the consequences of a brain injury will impact every aspect of a TBI survivor’s life which can include a change in their behaviour, struggles with relationships, work life, physical abilities and quality of life. 

Cognitive Consequences

Cognitive problems as a consequence of a brain injury greatly depends on the severity of the injury and the area of the brain the injury affected. Cognitive problems survivors of TBI may experience can include the inability to remain focused, communicate, problem-solve, retain information, make day to day decisions, control impulses, slower thinking and memory loss. 

Psychological Consequences

Survivors of TBI can experience a range of emotional and behaviour difficulties following a brain injury. These commonly include depression, anxiety, irritability, difficulty with understanding or behaving normal in social situations, self harms and low self esteem. 

Physical Consequences

Many individuals with TBI will completely recover physically, however some survivors may also experience ongoing physical problems, life-long disabilities or motor deficits as a result of their brain injury. Physical consequences often associated with TBI include, persisting headaches, loss of vision and hearing, problems with their balance, dizziness, seizures, nerve damage, difficulty with speech, fatigue, epilepsy and numerous mobility problems which may result in the use of a wheelchair or mobility aid. 

Cognitive Consequences

Cognitive problems as a consequence of a brain injury greatly depends on the severity of the injury and the area of the brain the injury affected. Cognitive problems survivors of TBI may experience can include the inability to remain focused, communicate, problem-solve, retain information, make day to day decisions, control impulses, slower thinking and memory loss. 

Psychological Consequences

Survivors of TBI can experience a range of emotional and behaviour difficulties following a brain injury. These commonly include depression, anxiety, irritability, difficulty with understanding or behaving normal in social situations, self harms and low self esteem. 

Physical Consequences

Many individuals with TBI will completely recover physically, however some survivors may also experience ongoing physical problems, life-long disabilities or motor deficits as a result of their brain injury. Physical consequences often associated with TBI include, persisting headaches, loss of vision and hearing, problems with their balance, dizziness, seizures, nerve damage, difficulty with speech, fatigue, epilepsy and numerous mobility problems which may result in the use of a wheelchair or mobility aid. 

Impacts on Daily Life

Relationships after brain injury

Relationships are an important and integral element of daily life that contribute to a person’s happiness and wellbeing. Unfortunately, the emotional, cognitive and physical changes that occur after a brain injury can heavily affect the relationships brain injury survivors have with their peers, family members and friends. Some many strengthen, while others may become strained or breakdown completely. 

Loss of friendships are fairly common. TBI survivors can be left feeling isolated with friends unable to understand their condition or accommodate their new needs. Depending on the level of brain injury, people with TBI may struggle to interact and engage with friends or make new friends if the brain injury caused behaviour problems or problems communicating. 

Work life after brain injury

Depending on the severity of their brain injury, some TBI survivors are able to return back to work as normal while other with more serious brain injuries may need significant adjustments to their workplace and working schedule or they may not be able to return to work at all. 

Family life after brain injury

Individuals who have suffered a serious brain injury will likely require life long support from family members, and others may need around the clock care. This can put a huge pressure on family relationships, especially if family members such as parents or spouses become full-time carers.

While some families find strength in providing care and support for their loved ones who have suffered from a TBI, others will likely find it hugely stressful and it can take time for families to adjust to new routines, especially if there has been a change in roles and responsibilities within the family unit.