Do you have an undiagnosed brain injury?
A blow or sudden jerking of your head can lead to a brain injury. Often referred to as concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are serious, no matter how mild.
Recognizing a brain injury
Mild brain damage can be difficult to recognize. If you, a family member or a friend has been in a car crash, experienced a slip-and-fall accident or was hurt in a sporting event, look for these common TBI symptoms:
- Headaches
- Unusual fatigue
- Inability to focus or pay attention
- Irritability or depression
- Loss of memory like forgetting names
- Changes in vision
- Heightened sensitivity to noises
It is estimated that 15 percent of mild TBI sufferers experience symptoms for a year or more. While each symptom by itself may seem minor, the compounding effects can affect your working and personal life.
The dangers posed by head injuries
Part of what makes mild TBIs so very dangerous is that they may go unnoticed for long periods of time. If you hit your head, jerk your head suddenly – such as in a minor car accident – or suffer any type of head injury, seek professional medical care for an assessment. Without careful professional care and intervention, such an injury can alter your professional and personal life.
While mild TBIs affect each person differently, you may find that your injury affects the way you communicate and comprehend situations. For example, you may experience difficulty understanding the context of a conversation and misunderstand the speaker’s intention despite understanding the meaning of the spoken words.
Brain injuries commonly cause victims to lose patience quickly. Also, many notice a great difficulty concentrating on tasks. Mild TBIs may even change a victim’s personality in significant ways. These symptoms can create many opportunities for conflict in your personal and work situations.
Get the help you need as soon as you can
Whether mild or severe, a brain injury is a brain injury and should be addressed appropriately with medical attention. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to receive compensation to cover your losses including medical expenses and lost wages.