Getting into an automobile accident in Washington, DC and suffering a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can change your life quickly. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can negatively affect motor skills, cognition, speech, vision and other areas of the body. If you have had this occur or know a loved one with a moderate or severe TBI, it is essential to understand how it can affect daily living.

How does TBI affect motor skills?

Experiencing a moderate to severe TBI can result in muscle stiffness or uncontrolled movements throughout your body. Paralysis and problems with walking, talking, and swallowing can also occur. Routine tasks like buttoning a shirt or tying shoes can become challenging.

Cognitive challenges and emotional effects

After a moderate or severe TBI has occurred, it can trigger several adverse cognitive effects. These might range from memory problems to confusion, impulsiveness, distractibility, and difficulty focusing or concentrating.

Dealing with a TBI after an automobile accident can also be challenging due to the negative effects that can occur with emotions. Irritability, depression, aggression and lack of awareness or denial are typical.

Other physical effects

Sleep disorders, chronic pain, appetite changes, seizures, and loss of control of bladder and bowel functions are other adverse physical effects that can happen after suffering a TBI. Due to the complexity of the brain and its function of controlling several aspects of the body, several other negative effects can occur throughout the body after a TBI occurs. Blurred vision, difficulty perceiving temperature, loss of hearing, lack of motivation and a diminished sense of taste and smell have happened to individuals with this injury.

Handling these negative changes to the body can be overwhelming and frustrating. Helping a friend or loved one who has suffered a TBI requires patience and understanding.