Abstract
Effective management of traumatic head injuries involves developing a clear understanding of various psychological manifestations in affected individuals. Traumatic brain injuries belong to two major classifications, namely mild and severe. Children that experience head injuries often require specialized treatment. Symptoms can be differentiated depending on the way they appear, as some can be noticed immediately while others appear gradually. Health care practitioners use three major methods in diagnosing traumatic brain injuries. An individual suffering from severe traumatic head injuries can have additional symptoms to those that can be identified in a person with mild injuries. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are advised to be observant of numerous changes in various aspects of their children’s lives as they may be manifestations of this condition.
Introduction
Over the years, understanding traumatic brain injury has been a major challenge in the health care industry across the world. Studies have established that effective management of this condition involves developing a clear understanding of various psychological manifestations in affected individuals. According to experts, traumatic brain injuries belong to two major classifications, namely mild and severe (Kaetley & Whittemore, 2010). The classifications are based on whether an affected individual experiences unconsciousness and the degree of its severity. Mild traumatic brain injuries are often moderate in terms of their threat to the health of an individual, while severe traumatic brain injuries are often life-threatening and can have serious effects if not managed on time (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2011). Studies have established that in some cases, traumatic brain injuries can have permanent physical and psychological effects such as loss of memory and unsteadiness. Experts argue that children that experience head injuries often require specialized treatment compared to adults because they lack the ability to report the symptoms they experience (Carone, 2013).
Psychological manifestations of traumatic brain injuries
According to experts, the manifestations of traumatic brain injuries are diverse due to factors such as the severity of an injury and the part of the brain that suffers the injury. Symptoms can also be differentiated depending on the way they appear, as some can be noticed immediately, while others appear gradually (Marion, 2006). Studies have established that there are numerous psychological manifestations of mild traumatic brain injury such as dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, headache, and a bad taste in the mouth. Others include sleepiness, irregular sleeping patterns, mood swings, loss of memory, poor concentration, loss of consciousness, and nausea among others (Carone, 2013). Experts argue that traumatic head injuries make an affected individual have constant mood changes characterized by feelings of sadness and anger towards people around them. Irregular sleeping patterns are characterized by an individual sleeping for more hours than they normally do or having a hard time sleeping (Kaetley & Whittemore, 2010).
Studies have established that health care practitioners use three major methods in diagnosing traumatic brain injuries. The first method involves asking affected individuals various questions regarding the injury and the circumstances that led to it happening. This helps a practitioner in understanding whether the affected individual had certain conditions prior to the injury that could have contributed to the injury (Kaetley & Whittemore, 2010). The second method involves assessing the affected individual’s level of consciousness and steadiness. This helps practitioners in establishing the various parts of the brain that could have been damaged as a result of the injury. The third method involves neurological examination that is mainly used in assessing the condition of various cognitive body functions. They include the affected individual’s ability to think, have a clear vision, hear, touch, maintain balance, and have normal reflexes (Marion, 2006).
Traumatic head injuries can also be severe. According to experts, individuals suffering from severe traumatic head injuries can have additional symptoms to those that can be identified in a person with mild injuries. Symptoms of severe head injuries include slurred speech, seizures, numbness, severe headaches, repeated nausea, increased agitation, prolonged periods of unconsciousness, and inability to wake up from sleep (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2011).
According to experts, individuals with traumatic brain injuries tend to be slow in thinking, reading, responding to something, and speech. Studies have established that it is harder to diagnose traumatic brain injuries in children compared to adults because of their inability to express themselves in a vivid manner. Therefore, parents, guardians, and caregivers are advised to be observant of numerous changes in behavior and normal routines of their children as they may be manifestations of this condition (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2012). Some of the most notable symptoms of traumatic brain injuries in children include tiredness, crankiness, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, as well as deteriorating performance in school (Marion, 2006). Other symptoms include lack of interest in favorite hobbies, unsteady walking, vomiting, and loss of newly acquired skills (Carone, 2013).
Conclusion
Traumatic brain injuries have numerous causes that include falls, vehicle crashes, sport-related injuries, injuries that penetrate the skull of the head, and shock waves among others. Understanding the psychological manifestations of traumatic brain injuries plays a crucial role in achieving effective management. Traumatic brain injuries are either mild or severe in nature. The two categories of this condition have similar symptoms, albeit in different degrees of severity. Manifestations of traumatic brain injuries in children are hard to identify, thus the need for parents and caregivers to be very observant of changes in various aspects of their children’s lives.
References
American Academy of Family Physicians. (2011). Traumatic Brain Injury: Symptoms. Web.
Carone, D.A. (2013). Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Symptom Validity Assessment and Malingering. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Kaetley, M.A., & Whittemore, L.L. (2010). Understanding Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: An Insightful Guide to Symptoms, Treatments, and Redefining Recovery. New Jersey: Brain Injury Hope Foundation.
Marion, D.W. (2006). Traumatic Brain Injury. New Jersey: Cengage Learning.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2012). Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page. Web.