Our brains are very complex and made up of several different parts. For example, the brain can be broken down into two hemispheres: the right and left hemispheres. Each brain hemisphere comprises four different lobes – the Frontal Lobe, Temporal Lobe, Parietal Lobe, and Occipital Lobe. Each lobe of the brain has a very specific function. For example, the Occipital Lobe, located in the back of the brain, controls visual perception, visual processing, and reading (the perception and recognition of printed words). Whereas the Temporal lobe, located on the sides of the head near the temples, controls short-term memory, receptive language, language comprehension, musical awareness, selective attention, object categorization, locating objects, face recognition, and behavior (aggressive).
When the brain experiences trauma, depending on the type of injury suffered and the location of the brain impacted, notable changes can be observed in the individual. For example, some changes after Occipital Lobe damage may include vision defects, difficulty reading and writing, and poor visual information processing. Compared with some changes after Temporal Lobe damage – short-term memory loss, difficulty understanding spoken words, disturbance of selective attention, and increased aggressive behavior. The impact of brain injury can lead to a wide range of short- or long-term issues affecting cognitive, sensory, physical, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Some individuals who’ve experienced significant head traumas may not even be aware they’ve had a brain injury. Brain injury can sometimes lead to or exacerbate mental health conditions. Possible social/emotional changes experienced after brain injury include difficulty controlling behaviors in social situations, poor self-esteem, poor awareness of self and others, difficulty monitoring and controlling anger, anxiety, temper, depression, impulsivity, and/or difficulty regulating emotion and energy level. It’s important to be aware that what may be presenting as a mood or anxiety disorder may be brain injury or a combination. That is why individualized, coordinated care is essential to post-brain injury, as no two brain injuries are alike.
Here are a couple of tips for moving through recovery:
- Learn about common brain injury symptoms
- Identify your own post-injury strengths and weaknesses
- Recognize and accept your losses and grief
- Celebrate accomplishments (no win is too small)
- Ask for help; develop a professional team and get connected to a community
Brittany Stratton, LCSW
BIS Counseling Department