What are the consequences of TBI?
They can affect physical activity, emotions, and long-term brain function:
- Physical consequences:
- seizures
- loss of smell or taste
- balance problems
- headaches
- feeling sleepy
- Emotional consequences:
- Increases anxiety
- depression
- mood swings
- impulsive behavior
- Cognitive consequences:
- short-term memory loss
- slowed ability to process information
- trouble concentrating or paying attention for periods of time
- lack of starting or finishing activities,
- communication difficulties
Brain injuries may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on their initial severity. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. The effects of a concussion are usually temporary, but each person’s injury is different. A moderate TBI is classified as a loss of consciousness for up to 24 hours. A severe TBI is classified as a loss of consciousness for more than 24 hours. Severe brain injuries often have more severe and persistent symptoms.
Living with a brain injury affects how a person thinks, acts, and feels. The symptoms and impacts are wide ranging and may change everything about a person in a matter of seconds. Brain injuries affect both the survivor and their families, so it is important to keep some things in mind when interacting with a survivor. A person with a brain injury is a person first, and no two injuries are exactly the same. The effects of brain injury are complex and can be very different from person to person.
Trillium’s TBI program supports members through community services and supports. State-funded and Medicaid resources can help members. State-funds are not an entitlement but are based on the availability of funding that Trillium receives from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Trillium’s TBI members have access to all Medicaid services that they qualify for, which may include 1915 (i) services, Innovations Waiver, or Long-Term Services and Supports. The TBI Waiver is not available everywhere in North Carolina yet and is currently unavailable to Trillium’s TBI population. The TBI Waiver is only available to eligible individuals in the Alliance Health region. Your Trillium care manager can help explain the services and supports for TBI members.
Trillium is hosting a free, online symposium on Brain Injury and Developmental Disability Awareness on March 21. Register by clicking below to hear more about opportunities and resources!
