Five hundred thousand Americans will suffer brain injury this year. Yet, there are many misconceptions surrounding traumatic brain injury. Below we’re tackling a few common myths and hope this proves to reveal a little bit about TBI.
Myth 1: TBI occurs through external trauma to the head.
It is true that accidents and blows to the head cause a large percentage of traumatic brain injuries, but TBI can also stem from a stoke, tumor, post-surgical complication or aneurysm. TBI is an umbrella term for any insult to the brain – internal or external.
Myth 2: Traumatic brain injury always causes loss of consciousness.
Actually, simple concussions are types of TBI. The person may only be dazed for a brief period. The brain inside the skull is jarred enough however to cause an injury to the brain.
Mild TBI should not be construed as “insignificant.” Any injury to the brain can cause some kind of functional disability.
Myth 3: Brain injury is manifested through specific physical symptoms
Traumatic brain injury is sometimes called the “silent epidemic” because the injury is quite often unseen. Physical symptoms are not always present – sometimes the symptoms are emotional, cognitive or behavioral. Of course there are a variety of physical impairments that stem from TBI such as impaired speech, hearing, vision, lack of motor function, or paralysis. But TBI may also manifest itself with cognitive symptoms including memory deficits, inability to concentrate, perceptual difficulties, impaired judgment or confusion.
Or victims of TBI may have behavioral symptoms, such as mood swings, depression, lack of emotional control, inability to cope, agitation or difficulty in relating to others.
The various types of symptoms of TBI are not mutually exclusive, and often patients with TBI have a combination of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms.
Myth 4: Effects of TBI are immediately obvious
People with” mild” to “moderate” TBI may, in fact, not exhibit symptoms for days or weeks after the initial injury event. They may begin to have trouble concentrating or working; or they may develop personality changes or other emotional symptoms.
Many symptoms begin to manifest up to 6 to 12 hours after an injury, and others become obvious only after the person attempts to resume their daily activities. Only with the demands of their daily environment do certain symptoms become obvious or more pronounced.
Myth 5: TBI patients with injuries categorized as ‘minor’ recover completely and quickly.
Many patients with mild brain injury do recover completely. But, it may not always be quick. Through proper acute care and rehabilitation the odds for recovery are favorable. But, even mild TBI can cause long-lasting effects, and should not be dismissed. Research indicates the importance of early treatment in the long-term prospects for recovery.
