Traumatic Brain Injuries When working with a patient that has endured traumatic brain injury, there are certain ways that things should be conducted. Traumatic brain injuries can vary drastically. Some people may suffer only slight problems, while others may be severely affected. Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries A person that suffered a minor head injury may have some or all of the following symptoms -
Some forgetfulness, perhaps needing reminders, but will usually remembers when reminded.
May have a slightly different personality than prior to the brain injury Often has a blank stare. This can be the brain somewhat rebooting. May be more sexually explicit, very common among brain injury sufferers. Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries - May have lost physical functions. Often has to be re-trained to walk, talk, handle objects, and to eat. - May suffer from extreme depression - Can easily become dependent on narcotic drugs - Often, with a traumatic brain injury the patient is argumentative; caretakers may have to ignore much of what is being said. TBI patients may have lost much of their ability to control anger and outbursts. Related: Healthy Cafeteria Alternatives to Consider Reporters Road to Recovery - Bob Woodruff worked for ABC and was covering the war when his convoy was hit. He had some protective gear on, however, his head, neck, and shoulders were exposed. Bob was injured so severely that the doctors told his wife he would not survive. Bob sustained a traumatic brain injury and was hospitalized for months prior to going to rehab. Bob said that some of the time he was hospitalized everyone assumed he could not hear or comprehend, but in fact he could. He said when he was able to, he told the nurses to always assume the patient is listening, even when they appear to be in a coma, he knows first hand its possible. Each day