Living with a Head Injury

Traumatic Brain InjuryTBI

Kathleen R Watson MD Ph.D

INCIDENCE Of TBI

• 1.7 million new cases occur each year.

• 75% of TBIs are concussions or other forms of mild TBI

• TBI contribute 30.5% of all injury related deaths in the USA

• Ref. CDC

TBI in the USA by ER visits 2002-6

• 1.365 million are treated and released from the ER each year.

• The number who go with out treatment in the ER is unknown.

• (CDC)

Neuropsychiartic Evaluation

• I was functioning at the 50th percentile

DEPRESSION

• For me this was the worst part of recovery.• Mental aspect.• Physical aspect.• I spoke about my experience

The Road Back

• With Donald MacLaren

• This was my Anti-Depressant

Memory

• Long Term

• Short Term

FATIGUE

• SLEEP Pattern• Sleep more than usual

LACK of Inhibition

• we say things that we regret

EXECUTIVE SKILLS

• Problem solving• Time managment

DISTRACTABILTY

• with memory loss and distractabilty• this is a source of frustration• Startle reaction• Poor concentration

LANGUAGE SKILL

• RECEPTIVE• EXPRESSIVE

Math Skills

• Forget to take change after a pruchase• Mis-calculations

REHABILITAIONtechiniques

• Set goals- short term• - long term• Daily repetitive activity• Rest periods• Don’t be frustrated • Vary the activity• Avoid stress- persons• - things

HARRIET TUBMAN

• Escaped slavery and led the• UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

• Seizures• Severe headaches• Narcoleptic episodes• Intense dream states• (bio.com)