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Essay / Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Causes and Side Effects
Table of Contents Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Psychosocial Aspects Brain Injury Case Analysis of Copper's Case Conclusion Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a problem major health issue for health professionals and the public. Each brain injury is unique in terms of its physiological, physical, social and psychological complications. However, the literature provides insight into brain injury from different aspects. This article presents information gathered from previous research, peer-reviewed articles, and case studies examining traumatic brain injury in various conditions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayTBI is defined as “TBI is defined as an impairment of brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force” (Menon, Schwab, Wright, and Maas 2010). External forces such as car accidents, violence, and sports appear to be common causes of head injury, particularly among young adults (Ruberts et al., 2011). Recent statistics on the epidemiology of head injuries in the United States indicate that "each year, 235,000 Americans are hospitalized for non-fatal head injuries, 1.1 million are treated in emergency rooms, and 50,000 die" Corrigan, Selassie and Orman (2010). The figures are high and considerable; It is therefore important to know the different aspects and consequences of brain damage. Each brain injury has its symptoms and causes dysfunction throughout the body depending on the severity and location of the damage. For diagnostic purposes, clinicians use medical advances such as MRI, CT scans, and X-rays. They also collect information about the individual's medical history, level of consciousness during the injury, and condition of the injury. The symptoms must be related to the injury for a better diagnosis (Menon et al., 2010). Some general symptoms of head injuries include impaired memory functions, physical abilities, mental status, and interpersonal behaviors. Brain injuries have a significant impact on quality of life. Some people become physically disabled for the rest of their lives, which undoubtedly affects their emotional and psychological well-being. TBI can also cause deterioration in mental functions, such as not remembering people, things, or being aware of time, which can lead to poor self-care and dysfunctional relationships. It is clear that traumatic brain injuries affect not only the injured person, but also the people around them. For example, family members of an injured person will need to change their lives and daily routines in order to adapt to this sudden problem. generally difficult. Therefore, appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation plans for the patient and their social circles are crucial when dealing with traumatic brain injuries. Treatment of brain injuries includes pharmacological medications, physical rehabilitation, psychological rehabilitation and the presence of an appropriate social support system. Psychosocial aspects People's reactions to their brain injuries vary depending on their personality, socio-economic status and social life. Accessibility to facilities and medical advancements are also important when it comes to traumatic brain injuries. THEBrain injuries are often traumatic and lead to various forms of disability. Thus, post-traumatic stress and depression should be among the major psychological consequences of such conditions. In the case of mild head injuries, for example, one study included 1,167 people who were hospitalized and underwent different PTSD assessments. The study found that traumatic brain injury leads to PTSD and attributed the stress level to the area of brain injury. For example, damage to the medial prefrontal cortex can lead to severe cases of stress, as there will be deficits in emotion regulation (Bryant et al., 2009). This discovery supports the fact that the area of damage constitutes the consequences of the injury. However, factorial data from one study suggest “that early depressive symptomatology does not fully include somatic and cognitive symptoms related to brain damage; rather, depressed affect, lack of positive affect, and interpersonal problems also contribute” (Dikmen et al., 2004). This means that there are external factors that could affect the overall psychological well-being of a person with a history of head trauma. The physical disability caused by head trauma leaves people uncertain about how to go about their daily activities and how they would manage their pain. They worry about who will care for them, how they will eat, shop, and communicate with other members of society. There could also be a huge concern about the community and the stigma they face towards a person with a disability. All of these worries can be ongoing sources of stress and depression if not dealt with in a healthy way. Vangel, Stephen Rapport, and Hanks found that poor caregiver well-being influences TBI outcomes (2011). It is therefore necessary to have well-prepared caregivers when it comes to supporting people with head injuries. The family of an injured person will need to recognize the challenges they will face, manage them, and seek help if necessary in order to minimize the distress of the disabled person as well as the family dynamic as a whole. Stress, pain and helplessness. can lead a person to be aggressive. Aggression turns out to be one of the consequences of head trauma. One study looked at levels of aggression (verbal and physical) in people with head trauma within three months of the injury. Researchers in this study found that it is common for people with head injuries to be verbally aggressive, particularly when it comes to allowing a caregiver to take care of their personal needs or when s The aim is to prevent them, from childhood or adulthood, from inappropriate behaviors such as drugs. abuse (Rao et al., 2009). Aggression can also be caused by uncontrollable pain. When an injured person suffers from internal pain, they can be easily irritated and therefore aggressive towards their surroundings. Additionally, some people engage in drug addiction or overuse of alcohol to manage their physical and psychological pain. However, these behaviors could lead to other negative side effects, including aggression. Social withdrawal is another essential part of life as a disabled person. Without proper social and medical support, a person with a disability would much prefer to be isolated from society. Acquiring health coping strategies improves a person's quality of life, even in the presence of some form of disability. A search hasrevealed that there is a relationship between coping style and outcomes. Escape and avoidance techniques led to maladaptive behaviors and thus a deterioration in overall psychological well-being, including higher levels of depression and anxiety. On the other hand, “strategies characterized as active, interpersonal, and problem-focused tend to be associated with greater self-esteem and positive affect after traumatic brain injury” (Anson & Ponsford, 2006). An injury could result in significant physical and psychological challenges to returning to work and pursuing a career. Reintegration into society could prove difficult, if not impossible, for some. However, some studies show that “returning traumatic brain injury patients to work is not feasible, with return to work rates ranging between 12 and 70%” (Shames, Treger, Ring, & Giaquinto, 2007). . Preparing for and improving outcomes for mildly and severely injured individuals requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes medical and psychosocial approaches.Brain Injury CasesIn this section, I provide details about interviewing a person who has suffered a brain injury. The names I give for this case are not real and I am using them only for the summary of this case. Copper is a fifty-year-old man who suffered a brain injury in 1996 due to gang-related violence and assault. He was shot in the forehead while trying to kill someone else and was hospitalized for 6 to 12 months. Doctors at the time were convinced that Copper would never walk again and that the pieces of metal in his head would kill him within five years. Copper didn't die, but he lost the ability to speak at that point. He used to communicate with his environment by pressing his hands. Before his injury, Copper was an active man with a great sense of humor, which made him outgoing and likeable to those around him. It was always clean and smelled good. Socially, he had five children with different women and he was a drug dealer. His life may not seem as perfect, the ordinary life of a man his age, but the injury affected his overall lifestyle and had a negative impact on him. After the injury, Copper had to attend his physical therapy sessions so he could improve his physical limitations. . After a while, Copper started walking with the help of a cane. Later, he got completely drunk and decided to throw away his cane, and that's when he walked on his own, without any outside help. After leaving the hospital, he went to live with his mother for about a year. He had problems with involuntary urination while sleeping. He accused his brother of doing it rather than admitting it. He also stopped taking care of himself and his general hygiene. He smelled bad; he stopped showering, his breath was bad. Socially, Copper became increasingly isolated from people and did not like to interact with others. However, he still had some sexual relationships with his various wives. Copper didn't care about the well-being of these women and his well-being, he simply used others to find shelter and a home. He smokes marijuana and abuses other drugs. He became addicted to drugs and often got into trouble and conflicts with drug dealers. These experiences in the drug mainstream put him in mortal danger for the second time, but he still did it. His primary caregiver, his cousin June, along with everyone around Copper, have lost hope in him. They gave up trying to help him return to a normal life. Copper refused to get aid.