Today’s Tip of the Day talks about Mood changes after a TBI.

In previous tips, we have touched on various changes that occur after a brain injury. Today, we dig deeper into the Behavioral changes that may occur.

Personality changes (or what feels like them) are common following a traumatic brain injury. Even a concussion can affect the brain long after it’s healed from the initial injury. The way we process and understand information can change as a result of the injury, so it’s not surprising that our emotions are affected, too.

Many people suffer from social anxiety, irritability, anger, depression, feelings of overwhelm, general anxiety, mood swings, or emotional lability (teariness) after their injury. But make no mistake: While these symptoms can make it seem like you’re a different person now, your personality is intact. It’s just buried under the weight of symptoms that are so, so hard to handle.

Here are some of the symptoms that you may be experiencing.

Anger and Irritability

Anxiety

Depression

Emotional Lability

Impulsivity

Social Struggles

What to Do with These Emotions

Identify Your Triggers

Get a Family Member to Help

Make a Destimulation Plan

Name the Emotion

Get Some Exercise

Keep a Journal

Above All, Get the Right Treatment

Long-lasting symptoms will not resolve without treatment. If you’ve experienced emotional problems and other common symptoms for over three months, it’s time to seek help.

The following video explains more about the symptoms and also how to handle them.

Check out our learning library at www.alaskabraininjury.net for online pamphlets with more tips on this and other issues that affect those with brain injury.

Source: https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/personality-changes-after-a-brain-injury-or-concussion

*the Tips of the Day are for informational purposes only and are not to replace the advice of a health care provider. See your doctor if you have any concerns bother medical and emotional.