Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Symptoms

Symptoms of Brain Injury

Any brain function can be disrupted by brain trauma and result in excessive sleepiness, inattention, difficulty concentrating, impaired memory, faulty judgment, depression, irritability, emotional outbursts, disturbed sleep, diminished libido, difficulty switching between two tasks, and slowed thinking. Sorting out bonafide brain damage from the effects of migraine headaches, pain elsewhere in the body, medications, depression, preoccupation with financial loss, job status, loss of status in the community, loss of status in the family, and any ongoing litigation can be a formibable task. For a moderate to severe head injury, CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY.

Depiction of head injury visible indications such as scalp wound, fracture, swelling, bruising, nasal discharge, stiff neck, and loss of consciousness.

The extent and the severity of cognitive neurologic dysfunction can be measured with the aid of neuropsychological testing. Neuropsychologists use their tests to localize dysfunction to specific areas of the brain. For example, the frontal lobes play an essential role in drive, mood, personality, judgment, interpersonal behavior, attention, foresight, and inhibition of inappropriate behavior. The ability to plan properly and execute those plans is known as "executive function." Frontal lobe injury is often associated with damage to the olfactory bulbs beneath the frontal lobes. Patients may note reduced or altered sense of smell. One recent study (Varney 1993) showed that 92% of brain injured patient suffering anosmia (loss of smell) had ongoing problems with employment, even though their neuropsychological testing was relatively normal. The effects of brain injury on the patient may be equaled or even surpassed by the effect on the patient's family. Brain injuries are known for causing extreme stressors in family and interpersonal relationships.

In general, symptoms of traumatic brain injury should lessen over time as the brain heals - but sometimes, the symptoms worsen because of the patient's inability to adapt to the brain injury. For this and other reasons it is not uncommon for psychological problems to arise and worsen after brain injury.

Symptom Checklist

A wide variety of symptoms can occur after "brain injury." The nature of the symptoms depends, in large part, on where the brain has been injured. Below find a list of possible physical and cognitive symptoms which can arise from damage to specific areas of the brain:

Little Known Symptoms / Injuries from Traumatic Brain Injury

Along with the standard injuries involving cognitive ability, personality change, executive function decline, and others which have been widely reported on, there are additional injuries and symptoms suffered by those who have had traumatic brain injury, which are not widely known but can cause profound problems. These include:

Generic Symptoms of TBI

Symptoms of a TBI can range from mild to severe. A person with a mild TBI, for example, may only blackout for a few seconds (lose consciousness) or even remain conscious. 

Symptoms of a mild to moderate TBI include: 

• headache 

• confusion 

• lightheadedness 

• dizziness 

• blurred vision 

• bad taste in the mouth

• ringing in the ears 

• sleep pattern changes 

• mood changes 

• problems with memory, attention, concentration, and thinking 

Someone with a severe TBI may show the same symptoms as someone with a mild TBI, but may also suffer from: 

• ongoing headaches 

• vomiting or nausea 

• convulsions or seizures 

• trouble waking up from sleep 

• slurred speech 

• pupil dilation 

• weakness or numbness in fingers or toes 

• coordination problems 

• increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness

A severe brain injury could also leave a person in a coma or vegetative state where they remain unconscious or only experience momentary periods of alertness.