Common Causes | Ways to Minimize
One of the common symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) is significant emotional changes. It may take the form of mood swings or can manifest in depression, anxiety, frustration or anger. What are the common causes of these emotional changes? What can victims and their loved ones do to deal with the changes?
What Causes Irritability or Frustration after a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Medical professionals believe that some of the causes of post-concussion mood swings are physical, but some are also environmental:
- The physical causes—With many TBIs, the damaged areas of the brain include those that commonly control your emotions. Neural pathways that were previously used to ensure a measured response have either been damaged or destroyed.
- The environmental causes—For many TBI victims, the dramatic changes to their daily lives can be the biggest source of irritability or frustration. Some may experience chronic pain or fatigue, while others struggle with mobility or memory issues. Many researchers believe that irritability or frustration may actually be a warning sign that the victim is not doing well with recovery.
What Is the Potential Impact of Irritability or Frustration?
In a recent study, many participants acknowledged that their feelings of frustration or irritability were responsible for:
- A sense of loss of independence
- A reluctance to return to work
- Failure to thrive when returning to work
- Increased stress at home
Researchers point out that nearly a third of those who participated in the study reported irritability or frustration more than a year after the injury. The study also found that, as a general rule, when the TBI victim experienced irritability or frustration, other family members did as well.
Recommendations for Minimizing the Impact of Frustration or Irritability
Medical professionals recommend many of the basic tools of anger management, including relaxation techniques and calming strategies. They also recommend that loved ones and family members try to avoid involvement when a TBI victim has an emotional outburst. In most instances, the event will be short-lived. Once it’s over, though, it’s typically helpful to talk about what caused the outburst. It’s also beneficial to establish ground rules in advance as to what types of behavior are acceptable.
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.
