When you think about a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it would seem like the description is within the name. While the name accurately describes the issue with the brain, it may not always line up with how you feel after an accident.
After an accident, you may have a few bumps and bruises and consider yourself lucky. In some cases, you do not have to hit your head to experience a traumatic brain injury.
These are some of the commonly overlooked signs of a TBI.
Changes in mood or behavior
Dealing with an accident is stressful. Even if you only have minor injuries, you could have extensive damage to your vehicle that takes a long time to repair.
The added stress of the accident can be one of many reasons you may dismiss changes in your interactions with your friends and loved ones. However, these changes could be a symptom that you suffered severe head trauma during the accident.
Changes in sleep patterns
As you go through life, there will be times when you find you are getting more or less sleep than your average night. In the days after a car accident, you may dismiss these changes as normal fluctuations because of your other injuries or stress.
If you or your friends and family notice that you are having difficulty sleeping, staying asleep or waking up, it could be a symptom of a traumatic brain injury.
In the days and weeks after an accident, check in with your loved ones to see if they have noticed any changes in your behavior or sleep patterns. If you are experiencing symptoms of a brain injury, you should seek medical care right away.