SOCIAL IMPACT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TRAUMATIC

BRAIN INJURY

Keyeonna Gray, RSA Scholar, Langston University

Tiffany Hines, RSA Scholar, Langston University

Cary Pittman, RSA Scholar, Langston University

Kimella Glover, RSA Scholar, Langston University

WHAT IS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY?

• Brain injury is described as acute and chronic injury to the

brain, including the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and

brain stem.

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results when external forces (such

as hitting one’s head in a car accident) cause trauma to the

brain.

• Clinical manifestations depends on the nature of the injury.

• TBI is a national healthcare problem, affecting approximately

1.7 million Americans per year.

TYPES OF TRAUMATI C BRAI N I NJURY

• Closed Head Injury – the skull is not penetrated. The brain hits against

the skull in an initial impact called “coup.” The brain then rebounds and

hits the opposite side which is know as “contre coup.”

• Open Head Injury –brain matter has been penetrated, such as by

stabbing or gunshot wound.

• Atraumatic Brain Injury – arterial venous malformations, and

infections in the brain both of which can result in cerebralvascular

accident.

SOCIAL I MPACTS

• Changes in the ability to think

• Being able to control emotions

• The ability to walk

• Speech impairments

• Depression

• Anxiety

SYMPTOM OLOGY

• Loss of consciousness• Vision changes • Headaches, vision loss or Dizziness• Respiratory failure (not breathing)• Coma or semi comatose state• Paralysis, difficulty moving body parts, weakness, poor

coordination• Anoxia (Brain is COMPLETELY deprived of oxygen )• Hypoxia (Brain has been PARTIALLY deprived of oxygen)

SYMPTOM OLOGY

• Slow pulse• Slow breathing rate, with an increase in blood pressure• Vomiting• Lethargy (sluggish, sleepy, gets tired easily)• Ringing in the ears, or changes in ability to hear• Body numbness or tingling• Loss of bowel control or bladder control• Brain Infections• Meningitis (Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord)

DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging which are also known as (MRI),

is used a magnetic field to scan the brain. MRIs are not

normally done in the acute care phase of a brain injury.

• More sensitive than CT scans but take longer, have more

restrictions and cost more. 

• Computed Tomography test, called (CT) scans take less time to

complete and have fewer potential complications.

PERSONAL EXPERI ENCE

•TBI is hard to understand and it is difficult to accept.

• The hardest thing to deal with is trying to figure out

where you fit in and how society is going to label you

once your disability is revealed.

•When interacting with someone with TBI, patience is

necessary.

•There may be times when repetition is necessary.

•A person with TBI should be treated the same as any

other individual you interact with.

•Get to know that individual not their disability.

REFERENCESBrain Injury Association of America (2014) Retrieved from http://

www.biausa.org/brain-injury-diagnosis.htm

Brodwin, M. G., Sui, F. W., Howard, J., & Brodwin, E.R. (2009). Medical, Psychological and

Vocational Aspects of Disability (3rd ed.). Athens, Georgia: Elliott & Fitzpatrick, Inc.

Nichols, J. L., Kosculek, J. (2014). Social Interactions of Individuals withTraumatic Brain Injury. The

Journal of Rehabilitation, 80 (2) 21-29.

Tsaousides, T., Asham, & T., Seter, C. (2008). The Psychological Effects of Employment After

Traumatic Brain Injury: Objective and Subjective Indicators . Rehabilitation Psychology, 53, 456-563.

doi: 10.1037/a0012579

Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Fact Sheet. (2014, June 2). Retrieved from http

://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html.