Effects of brain injury
How does brain injury affect people?
Everything depends on the severity of the injury. Even after a minor head injury, brain function can be temporarily impaired - this is sometimes called concussion. It can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, irritability and memory problems. Most people who experience a minor head injury are symptom-free within two weeks. However, some can experience problems for months or years.
The more severe the brain injury, the more pronounced the long-term effects are likely to be. Survivors of more severe brain injury may have complex long-term problems that affect their personality, their relationships and their ability to lead an independent life. When facing a challenging and uncertain future, it’s important to make good use of the rehabilitation and support available. No-one should go through this alone.
What are some of the most common examples?
These are some of the most common examples of how a brain injury may affect you or your loved one. You may experience one or two of these, or a mixture of many of them. You may find you experience them strongly, or just a little. Everyone is different.
Cognitive effects
Things that affect the way you think. View list.
You may experience some of the following:
- Attention and concentration difficulties
- Communication difficulties
- Confusion
- Difficulty making decisions
- Difficulty following instructions or processing information
- Dislike of crowds or noisy environments
- Feeling disorientated
- Language loss
- Memory problems
- Crying for no obvious reason
- Laughing for no obvious reason
- Planning and organisation problems
- Reading difficulties
- Reduced insight
- Speech or writing difficulties
Physical effects
Things affecting how your body feels and behaves. View list.
You may experience some of the following:
- Balance difficulties
- Bladder control difficulties
- Coordination difficulties
- Dizziness
- Epilepsy
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Hearing problems
- Incontinence
- Involuntary movements
- Loss of smell
- Loss of taste
- Migraines
- Mobility problems
- Pain
- Paralysis (possibly on one side of your body more than the other)
- Seizures
- Sight problems
- Swallowing disorders
- Weakness (possibly on one side of your body more than the other)
- Visual inattention (possibly on one side of your body more than the other)
Behavioural effects
Things that affect how you act. View list.
You may experience some of the following:
- Aggression
- Disinhibition
- Frustration
- Impulsive behaviour
- Irritability
- Obsessive behaviour
- Social behaviour problems
- Use of inappropriate language
Emotional effects
Things that affect how you feel. View list.
You may experience some of the following:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of confidence
- Lack of motivation
- Mood swings
- Worry