subject: The Effects of Brain Injury on Behavior [print this page] Brain injury can sometimes cause permanent changes in physical abilities, behavior and cognition. These changes are related to the area of the brain that is injured. The following outlines some of the common changes in behavior that may occur as a result of brain injury.
Frontal Lobe Brain Injury
Paralysis
Difficulty performing tasks in sequence
Decreased spontaneity in interactions with others
Inability to think flexibly
Perseveration (a persistent single thought)
Problems with attendance (focusing on task)
Mood lability (changes in mood)
Social behavior changes
Personality changes
Decreased ability to problem solve
Broca's aphasia (difficulty expressing language)
Parietal Lobe Brain Injury
Inability to pay attention to more than one object simultaneously
Anomia (inability to give an object its appropriate name)
Agraphia (inability to find the appropriate words for writing)
Alexia (difficulty reading)
Difficulty drawing objects
Difficulty in distinguishing left from right
Dyscalculia (difficulty in performing math activities)
Apraxia (lack of awareness of surrounding space or body parts)
Inability to focus attention visually
Decreased hand/eye coordination
Occipital Lobe Brain Injury
Visual defects
Difficulty in finding objects in the environment
Color agnosia (difficulty differentiating colors)
Hallucinations
Illusions (seeing objects inaccurately)
Difficulty recognizing words ("word blindness")
Inability to recognize objects that are drawn
Movement agnosia (difficulty in recognizing an object's movement)
Deceased ability to write and read
Temporal Lobe Brain Injury
Prosopagnosia (inability to recognize faces)
Wernicke's aphasia (inability to comprehend spoken words)
Difficulty recognizing objects
Short term memory loss
Difficulty remembering long term effects
Increased/decreased sexual interest
Persistent talking (only in damage to right temporal lobe)
Increased aggression
Brain Stem Injury
Difficulty breathing/dependence on mechanical ventilation
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Balance/movement problems
Vertigo
Sleep difficulties
Cerebellum Brain Injury
In coordination of fine movements
Inability to walk
Tremors
Vertigo
Inability to change directions rapidly
Slurred speech
Sometimes it can be difficult to sort out symptoms related to brain injury and symptoms which may be due to other factors that may be affecting the patient, such as use of medications, the loss of employment, financial stressors, ongoing legal issues, personal relationship issues and other health problems.
Neuropsychological testing can help to determine the extent of brain injury. As mentioned previously, the extent of injury and the symptoms associated with the injury are dependent on the area of brain damaged. Symptoms of brain injury should improve over time, but sometimes a patient will have difficulty adapting to changes. Frequently, psychological issues arise after brain injury due to inability to adapt.
Brain injured persons who experience changes in behavior, physical functioning or cognition should seek help for their problems. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling and other measures may improve functioning and the ability to adapt to a new reality as someone who has survived a brain injury.
The Effects of Brain Injury on Behavior
By: Mack Wilson
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