How Does a Brain Injury Affect Behavior?

Our brains are a complex system of neurons and synapses that enable thoughts, decisions, memories, perceptions, speech, movement, and automatic behaviors like breathing, heart rate, and sleep. That is a busy organ. Ironically, only 0.25 inches of skull bone is designed to protect the brain. When that skull is subjected to blunt force or some sort of penetrating object, the result can be a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A brain injury affects behavior in many ways that can be temporary or long-lasting.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes a TBI as “a brain injury that is caused by an outside force. TBI can be caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body or from an object entering the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in TBI. Some types of TBI can cause temporary or short-term problems with brain function, including problems with how a person thinks, understands, moves, communicates, and acts. More serious TBI can lead to severe and permanent disability, and even death.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020. Of that number, people who are 75 or older had the highest rates of TBIs, at 32%. These injuries can directly affect a person’s behavior. Some of these injuries occur as a result of a car accident or a slip-and-fall accident.

The following are some examples of the effects on a person’s behavior from a brain injury.

Obvious Personality Changes

A person can go through a brain injury and make a recovery but still exhibit personality changes. Family members might notice an obvious difference in their loved one’s personality compared to what it was before the accident. For instance, a person who was once easygoing and thoughtful can become quick to anger and self-absorbed.

Memory Problems

TBIs can trigger problems with a person’s short-term memory. This might lead to them being more forgetful about where they place objects or struggling with a person’s name. It also impacts their ability to learn tasks or to retain any new information. There could also be instances of total or partial amnesia that prevent the person from remembering information for certain periods in their life.

In addition to memory problems, the person could also have difficulties with concentration. That could make them more restless and anxious.

Emotional Swings

After a brain injury, you might notice that your loved one struggles with emotional responses, such as smiling, laughing, or crying. On the other hand, the brain injury could also cause the person to exhibit overreactions to minor incidents that will have them engaging in angry outbursts or crying. They could also exhibit aggressive behavior towards family or friends.

Lack of Empathy Towards Others

Someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury might develop a lack of empathy for others. That can generate hurtful remarks or unreasonable demands. This leads to an overall self-centered attitude that seems thoughtless, but it is really part of the recurring trauma from the injury.

That self-centered attitude also manifests as disinhibition. For example, the person with the injury might make crude and tactless comments or laugh inappropriately at certain events. This behavior can extend to making inappropriate sexual remarks directed at others.

Lack of Awareness

A person who is coping with a TBI may be in denial about the extent of the changes in their behavior and motor skills. For instance, they might try to walk with the assistance of a recommended cane or walker. They might also resist engaging in any kind of physical therapy.

Managing Care Expectations

Depending on the severity of the TBI, several exercises could be recommended to help with memory loss. You might also need to adjust the person’s environment by adding labels to everyday objects. There are also medications that could help with some of the extreme behavior changes.

As a caretaker, it is essential to remember that all of these changes are a result of the injury. In other words, they aren’t intentional. They might also become a permanent part of the person’s life. You have to be realistic when you manage expectations of what a “full recovery” looks like. That might never be achieved, but modifications can help cope with the changes.

Finding a Remedy

If your loved one suffered a brain injury as the result of an accident that wasn’t their fault, it is essential to discuss what happened with the Prince Law Firm. Whether the injury occurred in a car accident or at a nursing home, you’ll want to explore all the options for seeking a fair remedy. That remedy can take into account the long-lasting impact of such an injury. Call our offices today to set up a consultation to discuss what happened.