The symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury can be divided into three areas:           

• Physical symptoms;
• Cognitive deficits (effects on brain function); and
• Behavioural changes.
  

Physical Symptoms:

The physical symptoms of brain injury can last for hours, days, weeks or months after the initial physical trauma. In some cases, the symptoms may be permanent.

The physical symptoms of brain injury can include:

• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Dizziness;
• Headaches;
• Blurred vision; and
• Fatigue.
  

Cognitive Deficits:

Mild traumatic brain injury can have significant effects on the normal cognitive functions of the brain. In other words, a mild traumatic brain injury can affect the brain’s ability to perform its normal role as the command center of the body.

Typical cognitive symptoms of brain injury can include:

• Having difficulty paying attention;
• Problems with concentration;
• Perception problems;
• Difficulty with short term memory;
• Speech or language deficits ( for example searching for words); and
• Problems with executive functions (in other words, organization skills).
  

Behavioural changes:

The symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury can also cause changes in behaviour. However, the changes may be so subtle that the brain injured victim isn’t aware of the changes (or refuses to admit the extent of their symptoms).

Typical behavioural changes seen in victims with mild traumatic brain injury can include:

• Irritability;
• Quickness to anger;
• Emotional lability; and
•  Disinhibition

If you think you or a family member may have a claim for compensation for injury due to a traumatic brain injury, you can contact us for a free consultation or request a copy of  The Survivors Guide to Brain Injury Claims: How to prove the invisible injury.