Brain Injury, Brain Injury Effects, Catastrophic Injury

The Effects of Brain Injury on Behavior

Brain injury can sometimes cause permanent changes in physical abilities, behavior and cognition. These changes are related to the area of the brain that is injured. The following outlines some of the common changes in behavior that may occur as a result of brain injury.

Frontal Lobe Brain Injury

Paralysis

Difficulty performing tasks in sequence

Decreased spontaneity in interactions with others

Inability to think flexibly

Perseveration (a persistent single thought)

Problems with attendance (focusing on task)

Mood lability (changes in mood)

Social behavior changes

Personality changes

Decreased ability to problem solve

Broca's aphasia (difficulty expressing language)

Parietal Lobe Brain Injury

Inability to pay attention to more than one object simultaneously

Anomia (inability to give an object its appropriate name)

Agraphia (inability to find the appropriate words for writing)

Alexia (difficulty reading)

Difficulty drawing objects

Difficulty in distinguishing left from right

Dyscalculia (difficulty in performing math activities)

Apraxia (lack of awareness of surrounding space or body parts)

Inability to focus attention visually

Decreased hand/eye coordination

Occipital Lobe Brain Injury

Visual defects

Difficulty in finding objects in the environment

Color agnosia (difficulty differentiating colors)

Hallucinations

Illusions (seeing objects inaccurately)

Difficulty recognizing words (“word blindness”)

Inability to recognize objects that are drawn

Movement agnosia (difficulty in recognizing an object’s movement)

Deceased ability to write and read

Temporal Lobe Brain Injury

Prosopagnosia (inability to recognize faces)

Wernicke’s aphasia (inability to comprehend spoken words)

Difficulty recognizing objects

Short term memory loss

Difficulty remembering long term effects

Increased/decreased sexual interest

Persistent talking (only in damage to right temporal lobe)

Increased aggression

Brain Stem Injury

Difficulty breathing/dependence on mechanical ventilation

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

Balance/movement problems

Vertigo

Sleep difficulties

Cerebellum Brain Injury

In coordination of fine movements

Inability to walk

Tremors

Vertigo

Inability to change directions rapidly

Slurred speech

Sometimes it can be difficult to sort out symptoms related to brain injury and symptoms which may be due to other factors that may be affecting the patient, such as use of medications, the loss of employment, financial stressors, ongoing legal issues, personal relationship issues and other health problems.

Neuropsychological testing can help to determine the extent of brain injury. As mentioned previously, the extent of injury and the symptoms associated with the injury are dependent on the area of brain damaged. Symptoms of brain injury should improve over time, but sometimes a patient will have difficulty adapting to changes. Frequently, psychological issues arise after brain injury due to inability to adapt.

Brain injured persons who experience changes in behavior, physical functioning or cognition should seek help for their problems. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling and other measures may improve functioning and the ability to adapt to a new reality as someone who has survived a brain injury.

Help For Injury Victims and
Their Families

Call (800) 669-7700 Now

Name:

City:

State:

Phone:

Email:

Date Injured:

Would you like to learn more about your legal rights?

Yes

Type of Injury:

	I am the injured party
	I am contacting you on behalf of the injured party

Contact us for information on:

Legal Assistance
Financial Assistance
Fundraising for Injury Victims
Current News & Updates
E-Newsletter