Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when trauma causes damage to the brain.

TBI may happen from a direct blow to the head or as a result of the head hitting a hard surface, such as the windshield or the ground. It can also occur when a projectile, such as a bullet or piece of the skull, breaks into the brain.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is involved with a person's rehabilitation after experiencing a TBI.

The SLP, along with other care providers such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and neurologists work together to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the complications associated with TBI.

Complications of TBI

After a TBI, people can have physical, thinking, communicative, behavioral, or emotional problems. These difficulties depend on many factors including the parts of the brain that were injured in the accident, the type of injury that happened, and how severe the injury was.

Sometimes, these problems are seen right away, but, other times, it takes a while for them to be noticed. For example, a person may seem like they are fine when they are in the hospital, but when they return to home, work, or other demanding, stressful situations, they may notice problems.

Medical treatment or therapy can help in many situations.

Listed below are some of the types of difficulties a person may have after suffering from a traumatic brain injury. Please note that these lists are not complete.

Physical Problems

• Sleep disturbances
• Headaches
• Walking
• Dizziness
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Vision and hearing
• Swallowing

Thinking and Communication Problems

• Memory
• Paying attention or focusing
• Problem solving
• Organizing
• Goal setting and planning
• Reading
• Writing
• Awareness of self, safety, or current abilities
• Understanding what is said to them
• Expressing themselves with words

Behavioral and Emotional Problems

• Depression
• Change in personality
• Increased aggressive behavior
• Lack of humor
• Abnormal sexual behavior
• Lack of socialization

Therapists make up a multidisciplinary team that can help a person with TBI. Therapy will likely start in the hospital and can continue after the person is discharged to a rehabilitation facility or home.