Experiencing a car accident can have a devastating impact on your life. In addition to injuries, you may have costly vehicle damage.
You likely experienced a surge of adrenaline during the accident, followed by an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion. This drastic change can make it easy to overlook one of the most serious injuries you could suffer from an accident: a traumatic brain injury (TBI). An essential part of recovering from a TBI is getting qualified care as soon as possible, but getting the proper care can be difficult if you do not recognize the symptoms.
Here’s what you should know about the symptoms that come with a TBI so that you can get the support you need.
Pain is not the only symptom
One of the challenges with a brain injury is that you may not experience pain, or you may only experience minor discomfort. When you do not have debilitating pain, it can be easy to miss or dismiss some of the other symptoms that come with a TBI, such as:
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood changes
- Difficulty focusing
- Inability to stay awake
- Difficulty speaking, remembering or communicating
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Depression or anxiety
Sometimes, dealing with a car accident can be enough to dismiss these symptoms as stress instead of recognizing them as the signs of an injury.
Seek support from your loved ones
After an accident, you will count on your friends and family to help you recover from your injuries. In addition to support, your loved ones are more likely to notice changes in your behavior that could indicate you suffered a traumatic brain injury.
If a friend or member of your family raises a concern after your accident, it is essential to take their observations seriously. You should talk to a medical professional about your accident and the symptoms you or your loved one observed. Getting care for a traumatic brain injury is essential to an appropriate recovery plan.