Many people who suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experience anger symptoms. One recent study shows that as many as one-third of TBI survivors experience some type of anger symptoms, ranging from aggressive outbursts, impulsive anger to irritability. Patients with mild to severe TBI injuries may suffer from anger symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms do not correlate with the severity of the condition. Many of those with changes in behavior have suffered damage to the frontal lobe of their brain. Unfortunately, anger does not seem to go away spontaneously, and anger issues negatively impact patients. TBI-related anger issues can cause loss of employment, social isolation, and problems with friend and family relationships.
Personality Changes Often Involve Anger Issues
Agitation and anger issues can be ongoing after someone’s brain injury. If you experience angry outbursts caused by a TBI, your family members may describe you as having a “short fuse” or say they need to “walk on eggshells” around you. TBI injuries are frequently irritable, and their personality may range from moody to volatile. In severe cases, a person may become violent, use bad language, slam doors, or make threats against family members and loved ones. You may have experienced an injury to the part of your brain that controls your emotional expressions. Or, you may experience dissatisfaction and frustration with your TBI injury.
Anxiety and TBI Injuries
Anxiety is another symptom of Traumatic Brain Injuries. Anxiety involves a nervous or fearful feeling that is out of proportion considering the situation. Often, those who suffer from anxiety don’t know exactly why they feel anxious, but they have more generalized anxiety. Those with TBI may have difficulty solving problems and concentrating due to brain injuries, leading someone to become anxious when they need to make decisions. Other situations that require information-processing can cause anxiety in those with traumatic brain injuries.
Depression and TBI Injuries
Likewise, depression is common among those with TBI injuries. Feelings of frustration, sadness, and loss are also common after suffering a TBI injury. Depression can cause a person to withdraw from others and have difficulty concentrating. When a person’s brain becomes injured in the area that controls emotions, these physical or biochemical changes can lead to ongoing depression. Symptoms may appear weeks or even months after the injury occurs. It is important to discuss any symptoms of depression with your doctor because you may benefit from medication. Living with depression can make it difficult to enjoy day-to-day life and to concentrate at work. As with anger and anxiety, living with depression can strain a person’s family and work relationships.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers
Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. If someone else’s negligence caused your TBI injury, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you.
