The Common Personality Changes | What Causes Them
The brain is a delicate and complex organ, controlling both physical and mental capabilities. It should come as no surprise, then, that when you’ve suffered a bump or blow to the head, you may experience changes in your personality. Among the most common are feelings of anxiety, depression or irritability. In many instances, the victim of a traumatic brain injury may be cognizant of those changes, but often they are primarily apparent to others.
What Are the Common Personality Disorders Related to TBIs?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, there are five typical ways that a traumatic brain injury can affect your personality:
- You may be subject to rapid and severe mood swings
- You may become more aggressive toward others
- You may lose interest in many of the aspects and events of daily life
- You may exhibit unrealistic or uncharacteristic fears or paranoia
- You may lose your natural inhibitions, leading you to engage in inappropriate behaviors
What Determines the Likelihood and Potential Extent of Personality Disorders after a TBI?
Your susceptibility to personality changes, as well as the probable severity of any personality disorder, will typically depend on:
- The extent of your injury—The more serious the trauma you suffer, the greater the likelihood that you be prone to personality changes
- The location of your injury—Many critical aspects of personality are controlled by the frontal lobe. If your trauma involves that area of your brain, you’ll be at greater risk of personality disorder.
- The type of injury—Studies show that people who experience a traumatic brain injury from being struck on the head were less likely to have personality disorders than those whose TBIs were caused by pressure force from an explosion or similar event
- The extent to which the brain injury has caused general cognitive impairment—If you are experiencing overall cognitive challenges, it will commonly manifest in personality changes
- Psychosocial considerations—This may involve changes in your daily life caused by the TBI—the loss of your job, for example. The stress caused by psychosocial changes can lead to personality changes.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion, TBI or traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
