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Traumatic Brain Injury

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen if your head is hit very hard or shaken violently. Brain damage from a head injury can change how a person acts, moves, and thinks. People with TBI often have problems with:

• thinking and reasoning
• memory
• understanding words
• talking
• walking
• seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, or smelling

A person with a TBI may also show changes in behavior, such as:

• aggression
• acting out
• depression
• anxiety
• personality changes

Therapists design rehab programs to help people with TBIs regain as much independence as possible. But the rehab process is unique to the patient. For instance, some people with TBIs live in group homes to help them relearn skills needed to live and work independently. Other people with TBIs are able to live at home and go to day or outpatient rehab centers.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Employees with Brain Injuries - This article contains basic information about common limitations, useful questions to consider and accommodation possibilities for people with brain injuries.

   http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/BrainInjury.html

2.   Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program - This publication gives information on the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Program. It explains why it was established, what its goals are, and what it does.

   http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/tbi.htm

3.   Traumatic Brain Injury: Cognitive and Communication Disorders - This brochure explains traumatic brain injury (TBI), who suffers from it, what cognitive and communication problems can result from it, how problems are assessed and treated, and what research is being done. It also lists contacts that can provide more information on TBI.

   http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/tbrain.asp

4.   Traumatic Brain Injury: Hope Through Research - This publication explains what Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is, what the different types are, what the signs and symptoms are, how it is treated, and what complications may arise.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm

5. Traumatic Brain Injury - This fact sheet defines traumatic brain injury as an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force. Its incidence, symptoms, characteristics, diagnosis, and educational implications are discussed. Resources are included.

   http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs18txt.htm

6. What is the Rehabilitation Process? (Copyright © Brain Injury Association of America) - This fact sheet discusses the different types of rehabilitation support and facilities that are used to help people with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

   http://www.biausa.org/Pages/what_is_the_rehab_process.html

Organizations

1.   Defense & Veterans Brain Injury Center
2.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
3. American Trauma Society
4. Brain Injury Association of America
5. National Association of State Head Injury Administrators

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.