Traumatic Brain Injury
Head Injury
Concussion

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. Sometimes a TBI is called a head injury. Other times a TBI is called a concussion and can range from mild to severe. A TBI can happen with or without loss of consciousness. The length of time a person has lost consciousness is one of the factors that impacts the severity of the injury. Other factors impacting the severity can include location of the TBI. Did the person receive immediate medical attention? If the brain was swelling, was the pressure able to be released? If the brain was bleeding was the bleeding able to be stopped? Each TBI is unique because each person's brain and genetics are unique. Often, a TBI is also a psychological traumatic experience. The brain and body do their best to process trauma. Depending upon the circumstances and the individual, following a TBI a person may also develop symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you would like more information about PTSD click on the word and you will taken to the PTSD page. A Stroke or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) is also a Brain Injury. It is typically referred to as an acquired brain injury. For more information Click on the the word Stroke and you will be taken our Stroke page.

Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for a TBI, especially children under 4 years of age and adults over 60.

A TBI can happen from serving in the military to combat or blast injuries, an auto or other accident, a work related injury, a fall, Domestic or other violence, or while playing sports. TBI happens frequently in women's and men's sports including football, hockey, basketball, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, and boxing. The CARE Consortium is a collaboration between the NCAA and DOD to research concussions and provide best treatment practices. They have conducted the worlds largest study on concussions over 10 years. For More information about concussions click on the word concussion and you will be taken to our concussion page

The symptoms of TBI can last a short or long time depending upon the severity of the injury.

Common symptoms include.

Headache/Migraine

Fatigue

Dizziness

Vision changes

Nausea

Cognitive Impairments with memory, attention, reasoning and/or judgement

Sensitivity to lights and sounds

Irritability

Anxiety

Depression

Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms

Balance Issues

Changes in taste and/or smell

Pain

Personality changes

Swallowing issues

Speech Issues

Difficulty with motor coordination

Problems with intimate, social and community relationships

Siezures

Sleep Issues

The clinician's working at Behavioral Medicine evaluate all symptoms as an indicator of quality of life. With 28 years of experience, we have seen the negative effects of TBI on the mind, body, spirit and relationships. Our purpose is to help reduce the negative impact of TBI on your life through psychological and self-regulating therapies that rewire your mind, body, spirit for safety and connection. We believe you have everything you need inside for you to heal. We have the experience, training, technology and passion to guide you to it. We are ready and available to help the individual and the intimate partner/family/caregivers around them.