MYTHS and FACTS about TBI and Head Injuries
Myth: A negative brain CT Scan or MRI means there is no TBI.
Fact: In Mild TBI, most of the damage is often to the axons, billions of them, which are too small for the tests to detect. The axons are commonly twisted and torn, resulting in the death of the brain cell. (Le, 2015)
Myth: People with a TBI will know right away.
Fact: People are not often aware that they are having cognitive difficulties, until either they are told by someone else, or enough time passes and they recognize that they feel different or something is missing. (Le, 2015)
Myth: A person with a TBI is easy to recognize. You can tell who has a TBI.
Fact: TBI symptoms are not recognizable or obvious to a normal person, and even many doctors. TBI symptoms are internal, and many (if not most to all) people with a TBI will try to disguise it from others.
Myth: In order to have a TBI, there must be a loss of consciousness.
Fact: A person can have a TBI even if there is no loss of consciousness.
Myth: Concussions do not cause any permanent damage or disability.
Fact: Any head injury, even those considered mild, can have a permanent impact on cognition, emotion, memory, and intellect. Each time there is another concussion, the risk for disability increases. (Veletta & Company, 2015)
Myth: A mild TBI (mTBI) means there wasn't an injury, and there will be not long-term effects.
Fact: TBI's are determined to be mild, moderate, or severe, based on the amount of time there was a loss of consciousness (LOC). Mild does not have anything to do with the affect of the mTBI, as they can range from mild to severe. (Alzheimers Association, 2015)
Fact: TBI can change personalities, behavior, cognitive function, memory, attention, focus, and any other function of the brain.
Fact: TBI can precipitate other conditions, including PTSD, depression, symptoms of ADD/ADHD, and many others. People often express that they also have more physical pain in other parts of their body after a TBI.
Fact: TBI and resulting effects can have a significant impact on your sexual health. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to talk to your doctor.
I will add more Myths & Facts as I find them. Let me know if you have any you would like to see on here!
References:
Alzheimers Association. (2015). Traumatic brain injury. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/dementia/traumatic-brain-injury-head-trauma-symptoms.asp
Le, E. (2015, May 8). Ten of the most common myths and misperceptions about traumatic brain injury for patients to know. PowerPoint. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/edwardkle/common-myths-and-misconceptions-about-traumatic-brain-injury-a-victims-guide
Veletta & Company. (2015, February 21). Myths and facts about traumatic brain injury. Retrieved from http://www.victorialaw.ca/blog/wp-blog/myths-and-facts-about-traumatic-brain-injury/
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