As science focuses on the impact of head injuries, more information comes to light on how they interact with your overall health and wellness. Victims of head injuries – especially traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – often see behavioral, mental, emotional and physical alterations, along with financial tolls.
You can even experience changes to your personal relationships. But what sort of changes might you expect, and will you have to worry about them in the long term?
Alteration of personality
As the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center discusses, TBIs can impact everything from overall health to the way you interact with the world around you. This includes the way you process, handle and deal with your interpersonal relationships.
First, head injuries can alter your personality. Many TBI victims experience higher levels of irritation and anger, an inability to cope with stress, and trouble curtailing impulses. Along with a lack of coping mechanisms, it is possible to lash out at loved ones out of frustration and fear.
Changes in responsibilities
Next, you will need to focus on recovery during this time. This means other tasks like household chores and daily responsibilities get set on the backburner. If you supported the household financially through work, you will also find yourselves scrambling to secure a new source of income.
Needless to say, it is a big period of change and stress for you and those close to you. It can put a significant amount of strain on your relationships; if you are not careful, they can suffer permanent damage. Thus, it is important to manage relationship care as you work through recovery.
