Your mental health is no doubt tied to the level of function and health of your brain. With Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) a person sustains an injury to their brain typically due to a traumatic blow to the head. TBIs commonly occur due to car accidents, falls, or something heavy hitting a person’s head. Depending on the severity of the trauma and which parts of the brain were damaged, it can have varying effects on a person’s behavioral and emotional health. There are many common mental health symptoms that TBI sufferers commonly share like mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
Mood Swings
If someone who sustains a TBI is experiencing emotional instability or “mood swings,” part of the brain controlling emotions and behavior was likely injured. Dealing with mood swings can be distressing to yourself and your loved ones, with verbal or physical outbursts taking place along with other inappropriate behavior. A TBI may change the way a person feels or expresses emotions, so frequent mood swings may result.
Anxiety and Depression
Certain situations can feel more distressing for persons with a TBI and can provoke feelings of anxiety and depression. Feelings of anxiety can result from a TBI due to a person having difficulty focusing, solving problems, or processing large quantities of information. Not to mention, situations paralleling the incident which caused the TBI can also be a trigger if not addressed. Like with mood swings, feelings of anxiety and depression result from biochemical and physical interruptions to the brain.
Flat Affect
Maybe you haven’t experienced mood swings, anxiety, or depression as a result of your TBI and instead, feel like your overall personality has been muted. This is known as flat affect, and it is when a person’s personality seems dull and they don’t seem to have any outward emotions. This phenomenon can be attributed to damage to the brain from a TBI and requires attention.
If you have suffered feelings of anxiety, depression, or personality changes after trauma to your head, then certain areas of your brain controlling your emotions and behaviors may have been damaged in what is known as a Traumatic Brain Injury. First understanding that the emotional and behavioral changes a person experiences after a Traumatic Brain Injury are the result of their injury can help with dealing with the troubling emotions that occur resulting from a TBI. If you think a TBI may be causing your mood swings, anxiety, or depression, contact Avalon Malibu for a consultation. Avalon has a team of caring mental health professionals to help you or your loved one regain control of their mental health needs following brain injuries. Call us at (844) 857-5992.
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