What is Brain Injury?
Brain injury, is defined as either “traumatic brain injury” (TBI) or “acquired brain injury” (ABI) resulting from trauma, illness, stroke or hypoxia. National statistics from the National Center for Disease Control state that approximately two percent of the general population lives with a brain injury, and another 1.4 million Americans sustain a brain injury every year. Brain injury cases are rising due to the war-related injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A few of the possible effects of Brain Injury:
В· Physical
- Awkward movement
- Paralysis
- Poor balance
- Blurred or double vision
- Severe Fatigue
- Aphasia (lost or impaired ability to find words)
- Seizures
- Pain
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В· Behavior
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Poor Impulse Control
- Agitation and Anger
- Lack of self-control
- Confusion
- Personality Changes
- Poor social skills
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В· Thinking/Cognitive
- Vague, unclear language
- Poor or lack of short term memory
- Unable to sequence activities
- Difficulty listening to and/or following instructions
- Disorientation
According to the 2008 Brain Injury Consensus Conference, people who experience brain injury report poor physical and emotional health as compared to those with other disabilities. Individuals with brain injury often live with residual disabilities, and many fail when they attempt to return to productive work, previous social roles, familial responsibilities and pre-injury lifestyles. Our clients are more likely to receive welfare or disability payments and attempt suicide than people without disabilities.
Living with a brain injury is unlike any other disability. More people than ever before are surviving traumatic brain injuries, strokes, tumors and war injuries. Figuring out how to live with a brain injury is difficult; not only for the individual, but also for family members providing support and medical professionals providing medical care, as the range of impact, as well as affects differ with each survivor. The Brain Injury Center fills the gap of resources and understanding within familial and medical provider communities.
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