"No head injury is too severe to despair of, nor too trivial to ignore." - Hippocrates
Brain injury is regarded as the 'Silent and Invisible Injury'The vast majority of people are unaware of how many people are affected by brain injury and how few rehabilitation services are available for those who suffer from the sociological and psychological disruptions that occur post concussion/brain injury.
Research shows us the annual incidence rate in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom totals some 2.7 million traumatic brain injuries.
The Effects of Brain Injury
Behavioral Impairments
- Severe depression and/or panic and anxiety attacks
- Low self esteem
- Mood swings
- Uncontrollable emotional outbursts
- Irritability, agitation and unexplained anger
- Improper social communications
- Antisocial behaviour
- Sexual dysfunction
- Denial of changes
- Delusional, paranoia, excessive compulsive disorders
- Post traumatic stress disorder
Cognitive Impairments
- Simple problem solving issues
- Short term working memory problems
- Concentration problems
- Lack of ability to cope with decision making
Physical Impairments
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Sleeping disorders
- Dysphagia (swallowing disorder)
- Co-ordination problems
- Mild or moderate seizures
Traumatic Brain Injury also indirectly contributes to the rising divorce suicide, violent crimes, illegal illicit drug and alcohol drug dependency and unemployment. The average stay in hospital for an individual who has suffered mild or moderate concussion which is a brain injury is one night. No less than 50% and no more than 65% of individuals are diagnosed with a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury six months post hospital separation.
Sociological effects of brain injury have a domino effect on individuals, family, community and society as a whole. This injury can shatter families and has a direct impact on suicide rates, petty and major crime rates, drug addiction, alcoholism, violence in the family home, employment and discrimination within the social welfare state, along with impacting on the social and political economy.
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