Patients who suffer traumatic brain injuries due to a motor vehicle accident do not only have to deal with the physical symptoms and complications of a TBI. They may have behavioral changes too. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries damage areas of the brain that control your emotions, cognition and impulses.
Often, your loved ones may react as if you have turned into a completely different person.
Difficulty with interpersonal relationships
Even if you were a social, charismatic person before the TBI, you might find it challenging to communicate following a traumatic brain injury. You have difficulty following conversations or understanding what someone tells you. When you struggle socially, you may find it easier to withdraw from your loved ones or isolate yourself.
Many people with TBIs also struggle with impulse control. This may lead you to make inappropriate remarks or start arguments with friends and family.
Trouble with focus
The TBI may make you feel restless. If you have a career that requires a lot of focus or demands that you stay in one place for hours at a time, you may find it challenging to do so. The injury could cause you to feel more restless than usual. You may fidget, pace or sway unusually.
Likewise, it may be difficult for you to feel motivated. You might find it challenging to engage in your work or start tasks despite knowing you need to finish them. This is not laziness but a part of the injury.
Behavioral changes after a TBI can significantly affect your personal and professional life.
