This document discusses traumatic brain injury (TBI). It defines TBI as a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts brain function. It notes that there are approximately 2.8 million TBI-related ER visits annually in the US, with 50 million people living with TBI. Common causes are falls, blunt trauma, and car accidents. Diagnosis involves consciousness tests, imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations. Symptoms range from headaches and dizziness for mild TBI to personality changes and cognitive deficits for moderate or severe TBI. Treatment depends on severity and may include rest, rehabilitation, surgery or medications. The document emphasizes that TBI is underrecognized and misunderstood, negatively impacting recovery, and

1. Traumatic Brain
Injury
Perception is Everything
Sharron Walker, Ph.D.
TBI Solutions

2. What is Traumatic Brain
Injury?
O A brain injury is anything that causes brain
cell death and loss of function
O A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as
a blow or jolt to the head, or a penetrating
injury that disrupts the function of the
brain

3. TBI Statistics
O According to the CDC’s most recent stats,
in 2013, there were approximately 2.8
million TBI related ER visits
O By some estimates, there are currently 50
million people in the US living with TBI
O An estimated 58,500 Michigan residents
sustain a TBI each year

4. The leading causes of
TBI are falls, blunt
trauma, and auto
accidents

6. How are TBIs Diagnosed?
O Consciousness Tests
- Glasgow Coma Scale
O Imaging Tests
- XRAY, CT, MRI
O Neuropsychological Tests/Batteries

7. Glasgow Coma Scale
O Eye Opening Response
O Spontaneous – 4
O Opening to command - 3
O Opening to pain – 2
O None – 1
O Verbal Response
O Oriented 5
O Confused, but answering questions – 4
O Inappropriate responses, words discernable - 3
O Incomprehensible speech- 2
O None- 1
O Motor Response
O Obeys commands for movement- 5
O Movement to pain stimulus- 4
O Decorticate Posture - 3
O Decerebrate Posture 2
O None - 1
O 13 – 15 mild 8-12 moderate <7 Severe Head Trauma, poor prognosis

11. Symptoms of mild TBI
(Concussion)
O Headache
O Confusion
O Dizziness/Lightheadedness
O Nausea/vomiting
O Blurred vision
O Ringing in the ears
O Tiredness or sleepiness
O Sensitivity to light or sound

12. Notes about Concussion
O Symptoms may last for hours, days,
weeks, or months, and are expected to
resolve within 6 months
O The main treatment prescribed for
concussion is rest and avoidance of
strenuous activity
O The brain is more vulnerable after
concussion and repeated injuries can
cause long-term brain damage

13. Symptoms of moderate or
severe TBI
O Persistent headache/dizziness/Seizures
O Loss of coordination/balance
O Personality change
O Emotional and/or behavioral dyscontrol
O Difficulties with judgment and reasoning
O Poor attention/concentration
O Problems with memory
O Executive functioning deficits

14. …more symptoms
O Mood disorder
O Poor problem solving
O Difficulty with reading, writing, calculating
O Difficulties with speech/language
O Sensory changes
O Sleep deficits
O Loss of social skills
O Cognitive inflexibility

15. Treatment
Mild TBI (Concussion) Moderate/Severe TBI
O Rest/ general self-
care
O Avoidance of
strenuous activity
which might reinjure
the brain
O Gradual return to
normal activities
O Surgery
O Medications
O Rehabilitation
therapies

17. TBI Treatment Considerations
O Cure vs. Compensation
O Neuroplasticity
O Grief and Loss
O Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

18. TBI is called an “Invisible”
Health Condition because…
O The injury is generally not visible to the
naked eye
O The symptoms are often not detectable
unless they are severe
O Even doctors often miss dx and health
care professionals are often not equipped
to work with TBI

19. TBI (Mis)perceptions
O Healthcare professionals – fail to
recognize TBI, or to appreciate how it
impacts other areas of functioning
O Public – confuse TBI with other cogn. or
devel. conditions (ex. retardation, LD)
O Close others – unrealistic expectations of
person with TBI
O Injured person – under or overestimate
functional capabilities

20. How do misperceptions about
TBI impact Recovery?
O Failure to account for TBI in treatment
plans
O Stigmatization of persons with TBI
O Physical and emotional abuse
O Neglect of needs or overcompensation for
deficits
O Misalignment of post-injury goals

21. Improving outcomes for TBI
Survivors
O Proper Diagnosis HELPS
O Immediate treatment
O Interdisciplinary treatment with those
familiar with TBI
O Education and therapy for family as well
as survivors
O Engagement with others who understand
(i.e. TBI community)
O Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

22. TBI Screening - HELPS
O H – Have you ever Hit your Head or been Hit
on the Head?
O E – Were you ever seen in the ER, hospital or
by a doctor b/c of an injury to your head?
O L – Did you ever Lose consciousness or
experience a period of being dazed and
confused because of an injury to your head?
O P – Do you experience Problems in your daily
life since you hit your head?
O S- Have you experienced any Sicknesses?

23. TBI Resources
O Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI) -
(810) 229-5880 or www.biami.org
O National Brain Injury Information Center –
(800) 444-6443 or www.biausa.org
O BIAMI veterans hotline – (800) 772-4323
O Michigan Department of Health and Human
Services - www.michigan.gov/tbi