Whether you slipped and fell on an icy patch of ground or you were in a car accident, head injuries can happen at any time. However, the signs of these injuries may not always seem apparent directly after the incident. Knowing what to look for while assessing if you have a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can help you. Here, we’ll go over the most common TBI symptoms.
Common TBI Symptoms
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury: Concentration problems
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serious injuries can result in trouble concentrating on basic tasks. You may notice yourself feeling slower or struggling to remember facts or names.
You may even lose consciousness in more intense cases for a few seconds or minutes. A more mild version of a TBI typically involves headaches or other issues.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury: Physical struggles
Falling over more frequently in the time after an accident or finding it hard to fall asleep at night without feeling restless are both physical symptoms of a TBI. You may also notice that you sleep for longer than normal once you do fall asleep.
Increased sensitivity to sounds or lights around you can also make it harder to function in daily life. Many people struggle with odd tastes in their mouths or increased vomiting afterward.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury: Emotional changes
In the days or weeks after a TBI, you may notice fluctuations in your emotions more often, such as increased worry or depression. This symptom can also lead to changes in behavior or overall mood that others may notice before you do.
Take note if someone close to you tells you that you are acting differently than normal. Traumatic brain injuries are not always easy to spot at first, and many signs are subtle at first.