3 categories of TBI symptoms

On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

After a serious motor vehicle collision, individuals might struggle with devastating injuries and medical conditions. In many instances, these consequences are life-altering. A traumatic brain injury (TBI), for example, can dramatically impact the personal and professional lives of the injury victim as well as his or her entire family.

A TBI might be a difficult condition for medical professionals to diagnose as the symptoms do not always align with the severity of the injury, the medical history of the individual or the impact of the collision. In fact, medical professionals classify TBI symptoms in three categories:

• Physical symptoms: In a TBI, the physical manifestation of damage often comes in the form of perceptive challenges such as blurred vision or ringing in the ears. Additionally, victims might struggle with headaches, nausea and the loss of balance.
• Cognitive symptoms: After a serious head injury, cognitive challenges could come in the form of memory impairment, brief losses of consciousness and persistent disorientation.
• Emotional symptoms: Symptoms can also include a strong emotional component including personality changes, mood swings and persistent irritability. Individuals might also experience conditions such as depression or anxiety.

While every injury is unique, individuals often suffer similar, overlapping symptoms. In fact, it is not uncommon for the victim of a serious TBI to exhibit symptoms covering all three categories. Following a serious motor vehicle collision, it is imperative that all vehicle occupants receive a thorough medical evaluation.

Often, the head trauma shows no visible signs of damage such as lacerations, bruising or swelling. It is possible that the injury is completely internal, mostly impacting the brain’s function rather than structure. In these situations, the diagnostician must carefully examine the injury using neurological tests. The injury victim must identify and list all symptoms across any classification to aid the doctor in a proper diagnosis and course of treatment.

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