Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have several, lifelong effects. Behavioral changes are one of the most challenging and disturbing consequences, both for the victim and their families. These changes may make it difficult to victims to maintain relationships and employment, among other problems.
While some behavioral changes can be regulated, it often requires significant medical and mental health treatment. If you or a loved one suffered a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligence, filing a personal injury claim can help offset the cost of treatment, lost income and more.
Common post-TBI behavioral changes
After a TBI, victims may experience the following changes:
- Inability to regulate emotions: Keeping emotions in check is part of daily life, but brain injuries can make that difficult. Patients may experience sudden, dramatic mood swings, or have outsized reactions to minor issues.
- Lack of social awareness: TBIs can interfere with a person’s sense of social awareness. A formerly shy person may suddenly interrupt conversations, make hurtful comments or act in sexually inappropriate ways. Other patients may avoid people entirely.
- Difficulty starting tasks: Often, TBI patients may have trouble starting even easy tasks, or making conversation—even when they want to do so. They may also have issues with motivation, despite knowing something needs to get done. Fatigue and/or laziness is not a factor in these situations.
- Restlessness: You may notice a TBI victim exhibiting restless behaviors, such as pacing, swaying or fidgeting.
- Refusal to engage in activities: Sometimes TBI patients simply refuse to do some or all activities, even things they used to enjoy. They may refuse to attend medical or therapy appointments, or other activities that were not an issue prior to the injury.
Moderate to severe TBIs are most likely to cause behavioral changes. They typically occur right after the injury, and can change over time. The changes are often due to issues with thinking, focusing, lack of impulse control and communication.
Identifying these behaviors and talking to a medical or mental health practitioner can help the patient regain control and function over time. While some TBIs leave permanent damage, some patients are able to think, communicate, process and function “normally” after treatment.
When you or a loved one suffers a TBI, contact the Law Offices of Tim Misny right away. We can evaluate your case, and fight to ensure you recover compensation for injuries, resultant behavioral changes and other consequences.
Talk to an Ohio personal injury lawyer today
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your personal injury case. When you’re the victim of negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (800) 556-4769 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
