Introduction: Biological Dimensions of TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can be as intense as being in a coma or near death, or where it interferes with memory, consciousness, and may cause hallucinations (Galgano, Toshkezi, Qiu, Russell, Chin, Zhao, 2017). It is caused by intense outside force on the brain and trauma, and has a mix of neurological and psychiatric components, which is why it is so complex (McAllister, 2011). About 1-2 million Americans are injured yearly, 50,000 die from it, and 290,000 are taken to the hospital each year with TBIs (McAllister, 2011). Many TBIs are never reported, so the most accurate number of individuals living with it is unknown (Galgano, et al., 2017). There are more individuals living with this diagnosis, since there have been less deaths associated with it, which is why there is more research and treatments available for TBI (Galgano, et al., 2017).
TBIs significantly impacts an individual and their family’s life because of the changes in memory, cognitive abilities, and audio and visual hallucinations it causes (Pastotter, Weber, Bauml, 2013). Physically, it can cause an individual to have slower physical movements as well because it impacts the brain’s ability to send messages (Pastotter, et al., 2013). TBIs are most common from car accidents, falls and concussions, with the highest rate among 0-4 year old kids and the elderly (Galgano, et al., 2017). While TBIs are not genetic, it can impact the lives of those around the individual due to the difference in their previous self, and the impact from it. There are also a few environmental factors to consider such as many TBIs coming from veterans who have been around explosions, football players or other athletes, and being in a high-risk area where falls are common (Carlson, Terri, Resnick, O’Neil, Twamley, Sayer, 2015). The pathophysiology for TBIs can be confusing, but it is a damaging of brain cells which often also causes blood to be drawn away from the brain which can have fatal results if not properly intervened (Galgano, et al., 2017). When there is a disruption with the brain tissue, then injuries are vast and there are issues with problem solving, brain flexibility, decision making, mood regulation, cognition, etc. based on the severity of the impact (McAllister, 2011). The brain is what navigates the entire rest of the body, which is why there is such a high need for progress, psychiatric and neurological research, and many interventions along the way for the treatment of TBI (McAllister, 2011).
Psychosocial Issues Common to People Experiencing TBI
As mentioned earlier, TBI impacts all ages and types of individuals and can have an impact on their daily life, their ability to keep a job, live a meaningful life, maintain relationships, take proper care of themselves, regulate their mood, remember important information, make decisions, and more which takes a toll on the entire individual and their family (McAllister, 2011). Traumatic Brain Injury also has impacts on cognition and can be tied with psychiatric conditions as well (Galgano, et al., 2017). In research from 2013, professionals tried to determine the impact of TBI on memory and cognitive abilities, and they found how testing and continually teaching individuals with TBI can help improve these skills (Bernhard, et al., 2013). In another study from 2015, results found how individuals with TBI had a harder time in getting employed which impacted their financial life, and made them depend on their family and friends to provide for them (Carlson, 2015). TBI also had impacts on mood regulation and hallucinations, which interfered with the individual’s ability to maintain relationships, go through daily life, and feel as if they are in control of themselves (Galgano, et al., 2017). Brain injuries require a lot of attentiveness and care from the family, loved ones, and individual themselves because a lot of patience is required to address all of the issues which come with it. Without the ability to make sound decisions and have accurate memory, jobs and school can become extremely difficult. With this loss of independence which may come along with a TBI, an individual may have psychological needs as well if they have feelings of depression or changes in mood. The family and individual may feel hopeless and powerless, which is why spiritual or religious life may have a huge impact on the ability for them to accept and live with what is going on without losing hope. Another issue to keep in mind are the differences in treatment among other cultures and nations, because some places do not separate traumatic brain injuries from a different psychological condition. However, in the United States TBIs are explained as an external force which impacts the brain (Galgano, et al., 2017).
References
Carlson, K. F. (2015). Employment Challenges Among Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 96(10), 87-88. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.08.293
Galgano, M., Toshkezi, G., Qiu, X., Russell, T., Chin, L., Zhao, L. (2017). Traumatic Brain Injury. Cell Transplant, 26(7), 1118-1130. doi: 10.1177/0963689717714102
McAllister, T. W. (2011). Neurobiological consequences of traumatic brain injury. Dialogues Clinical Neuroscience, 13(3), 287-300. doi: unknown
Pastotter, B., Weber, J., Bauml, K. H. T. (2013). Using testing to improve learning after severe traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychology, 27(2), 280-285. doi: http://dx.doi.org.csulb.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/a0031797