Traumatic brain injuries are common among Virginia residents involved in serious accidents. If a person is affected by one, it’s important to know whether it can change their personality.
What causes personality changes after suffering a TBI?
Traumatic brain injuries can develop after a person suffers serious head trauma or when an object penetrates the skull and brain. Even a minor form can adversely affect the victim and lead to personality changes. The location of the brain affected by a TBI can change the way a person behaves.
What are common personality changes after a TBI?
If the part of the brain responsible for impulse control is affected by a TBI, a person might have trouble controlling certain urges and show a remarkable lack of restraint. They might act in ways they normally would have never even considered.
Usually, the individual’s emotions and moods are affected after a TBI. They might suddenly exhibit fits of rage or sadness and then become visibly confused. It’s also common for people with TBIs to abruptly switch emotions. For example, they might laugh hysterically one minute and then burst into tears the next minute.
Individuals with TBIs may exhibit aggressive behavior by screaming at their loved ones, striking objects or picking arguments with family members and friends. Because of the brain injury, their cognitive ability might be impaired especially when they are overstimulated. Aggression is their way of dealing with these effects.
If the orbitofrontal cortex is affected by a TBI, it can cause a person to suddenly lack empathy. This is one of the more frightening personality changes that could occur.
People with brain injuries often become less engaged in things they once enjoyed. This is known as flat affect. It also results in a lack of reaction when they should react to something.
Treatment and rehab for people with TBIs might be able to lessen the impact of these issues.