The emotional effects of a head injury

Being involved in an accident that results in a head injury can be extremely traumatic for everyone involved. In the most severe of injuries the injured person will have various serious physical symptoms that they may have to deal with for the rest of their life. They also may have to re-learn many of their basic skills such as walking and eating without being fed. Speech may also take a long time to be the same as it was before the accident. In addition to the physical distress associated with a head or brain injury there are many emotional side effects that people close to a head injury patient should expect.

The following brief descriptions cover the main emotional effects of a head injury. They are however not experienced by everyone and range in severity.

Depression
Many people who have suffered a severe head injury may not be aware of the significance of their accident due to the damage to their brain. Symptoms of depression can mean that the patient has become aware of the impact the accident has had on them so it is not always a bad sign. Depression can be improved by counselling.

Anger
People who have sustained a head injury may be susceptible to bouts of unexplained anger. The most insignificant event can trigger explosive rage. This is often caused by damage to the frontal lobes in the brain. This area controls emotional behaviour and patience. Damage to the frontal lobes can also result in a lack of awareness and the inability to monitor personal behaviour. This can mean that the person may not be aware of the effects of their accident. For people experiencing these kinds of symptoms support groups may be helpful.

Anxiety
People who have suffered a head injury may have panic attacks and feelings of uncertainty. This is fairly normal after a traumatic event and means that the sufferer may find everyday tasks difficult to face. Under these circumstances it is important to encourage the individual to be independent so that they get used to doing things that they routinely did before their accident.

Being self centred
This means that the person with the head injury is only concerned with themselves. This may be the result of the brain injury impairing the ability to judge how other people are feeling. This may also be the result of all the attention the person received when they were in hospital and during their recovery. This can be extremely difficult for families to deal with as they might feel that their love and attention is not valued.

Lack of motivation
Lack of desire to do anything is a result of frontal lobe damage. This area controls the desire to forward plan and do things. This can lead to isolation and more depression and can be helped by encouraging the individual to take small steps towards getting back into old hobbies.

Help for head injury patients
A head injury is obviously extremely traumatic for everyone involved in the patients’ life. All the emotions that the sufferer is experiencing will be felt acutely by loved ones who are trying to help and to get back the person they knew before the accident. Rehabilitation and medical help is vital for anyone who has had a brain injury. The correct advice and medication can drastically improve the outlook for head injury sufferers.

At YouClaim we can help you to get access to these services and also get you compensation for any losses and personal suffering. All our solicitors are experts in the field of personal injury law and can advise you at every step of the way.

To speak to one of our friendly team call us now on 0800 19 757 95 we will give you free legal advice regarding our head injury compensation and rehabilitation services and discuss with you the process of claiming personal injury compensation.

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