Facing an injury can have a devastating impact on your life and finances. In addition to needing time and money to support your recovery, you might be missing income from being unable to work.
While some of your injuries may have been obvious at the time of the accident, other injuries may take time to realize. In some cases, it can take days or weeks to recognize the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
These are some of the serious symptoms of a TBI that can be easy to overlook.
Changes in sleep
Sleep is one way that your body can support your recovery. After an accident, you may find yourself sleeping more than usual. You might be more tired because you are recovering or bored and unable to do some of the activities you would usually do. On the other hand, you might be more tired because of a head injury from the impact of your accident.
An increase in tiredness is not the only sleep pattern change you should watch for. In some cases, you might have trouble sleeping after an accident. Regardless of the difference in your sleep pattern, you should consult with your healthcare team to determine if you suffered a TBI.
Behavioral changes
Recovering from an accident can be a stressful situation. Since you are facing recovery from your injuries and financial pressure, your loved ones may dismiss any behavioral changes as coming from having too much stress. They may choose to overlook behaviors, such as:
- Anger
- Frustration
- Sadness
- Inability to manage emotion
- Rapid mood changes
During your recovery, it will be important to listen to your friends and family if they start to notice changes in your behavior. While it might be easier for you to rationalize or dismiss, your loved ones will have an easier time detecting what is out of the ordinary.
If you think you are experiencing symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, it is essential to seek medical care right away. Your healthcare team can help you learn more about your symptoms and what recovery options are available.