Traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBIs, are some of the most insidious types of injuries people can experience because they often go undetected. If you know the signs, however, you can recognize these “invisible injuries” and get them treated as quickly as possible. Here are seven potential signs of a TBI you should watch out for after a serious accident:
- Abnormal headaches
- It makes sense that someone who has been in a serious accident might suffer from a headache. However, with a TBI, someone may suffer from a headache that simply does not go away, even with conventional medication like aspirin. Alternately, the headaches may intensify over time, becoming more and more unbearable without adequate treatment.
- Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
- Another sign of a TBI often overlooked is dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. While these issues are reasonably common in many accidents due to stress or injury, these symptoms can persist for weeks or months after the accident that caused them when the cause is a TBI. This can leave someone effectively unable to go to work or perform daily chores, simply due to how difficult it is to get out of bed and do anything.
- Memory problems
- Memory problems are the classic symptom of a TBI, but they do not just manifest as memory loss. Sometimes, a head injury may result in what is known as anterograde amnesia, causing someone to become unable to form memories. It can also manifest more subtly, appearing as having difficulty maintaining concentration or focusing on tasks for prolonged periods.
- Changes in appetite
- Another potential issue that can arise because of a TBI is a sudden change in appetite. While many people respond to trauma with irregular eating habits, either by refusing to eat or by eating far more than they usually do, a TBI can cause someone to lose control of their appetite. They may never feel hungry, no matter how little they’ve eaten, or they may never feel full, no matter how much they eat, resulting in dramatic and potentially harmful changes to their weight.
- Changes to sleep schedule
- This potential TBI symptom is also often misattributed as just another symptom of psychological stress. People suffering from TBIs often lose control of their sleep schedule, and may become physically unable to wake up or fall asleep. Despite the common myth, however, it is not always wise to keep a TBI victim from sleeping, and you should always consult a doctor on appropriate treatment for this injury.
- Mood swings
- Not every symptom of a TBI involves obvious physical symptoms. Sometimes, it can cause someone suffering from mood swings, which may be written off as the psychological effect of being in a serious accident. However, if someone’s mood swings do not respond to conventional therapy, it may be a sign that the cause is a TBI rather than psychological trauma.
- Depression or anxiety
- Similarly, a TBI may also result in feelings of depression or anxiety, independent of any other psychological problems someone may be experiencing due to their accident. Often, it’s difficult to differentiate more conventional depression or anxiety issues from those caused by a TBI. That is why you should get a full medical examination after an accident, which can pick up on these potential problems and help you to get treatment as soon as possible.
Fox Law Firm, PLLC is a New York personal injury law practice serving clients throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. With over three decades of experience, attorney Kevin Fox has helped clients in personal injury cases obtain the compensation they deserve. For more information or to ask for a consultation, call our Riverhead office at 631-779-3400 or visit their contact page.
