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Depending on what part or parts of a person's brain are injured, the individual may experience significant behavioral and emotional changes. The frontal lobe, for example, helps govern personality and impulsivity. If damaged, there might be no "braking mechanism" for self-control. A person may find he cannot control his anger or aggression. He may also make inappropriate comments to friends or strangers not realizing they are off color.
Or the opposite might happen -- someone's personality may become muted or seemingly emotionless. This is called "flat affect."
How to Deal with a New, Angrier Version of a Beloved Husband and Father?
Family counseling is crucial to help everyone deal with the emotional effects of a brain injury.
Monitoring Athletes Symptoms After a Concussion: Verbal Questions or Written Questionnaires?
What is the most effective way to track recovery from concussions in athletes?
Counseling/Behavioral Health
Everyone needs a helping hand at one time or another. Learn about resources to help you and your service member or veteran cope.
Planning Ahead After a Brain Injury is Related To Better Outcomes
Learn why it's better to "plan" than "avoid" after a brain injury.
BrainSTARS: Adolescent Self-Regulation
Despite their age, adolescents with self-regulation difficulties after brain injury require the amount of supervision and structure typically provided for younger children.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Counseling After Brain Injury But Were Afraid to Ask
Life after a brain injury can be overwhelming for both the survivor and family members. Learn how counseling can help.
If I Look So Good, Why Do I Feel So Bad?
The fact that brain injury is often an invisible injury can be painful. Learn how to react to people's questions and comments.
Depression in Primary Care: A Military Healthcare Perspective
Depression is one of the most common symptoms after a combat-related brain injury. Learn how to help your service member or veteran.
Recognizing Other People’s Facial Expressions Can Be Hard for People with Brain Injury
An inability to perceive others’ emotions can make communication and social interactions difficult.
Why Do Some People Develop Psychiatric Disorders After a Brain Injury?
Psychiatric disorders are common and often debilitating after a brain injury. Learn who is more at risk.
Stress Management: How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress
Stress affects everyone, but it can be worse for people with a brain injury. Here are some indispensable, general strategies.
Mental Illness and Brain Injury Are Not a Dual Diagnosis
Often, behavioral and emotional symptoms are a result of a TBI and should be treated as such.
Why Is Depression the Number One Symptom After a Brain Injury?
Some 20-60% of people with a TBI experience depression soon after the injury or even years later. Learn why it's so prevalent.
When Depression Is Not Depression After a TBI
Fatigue, problems with sleep or concentration, and lack of energy or interest may be their own symptoms, not depression.
Make Sure to Get Appropriate Help and Treatment After a TBI
Being aware of symptoms post TBI is crucial to getting the appropriate medical treatment.
Learn Why Aggression, Irritability, and Depression Are Common After Brain Injury
Changes in or damage to the brain make emotional and behavioral issues common after a TBI.
Stress Symptoms in Relatives After Severe Brain Injury
Post-traumatic stress can affect a person’s family members, too.
Traumatic Brain Injury Among Homeless Persons
Information on improving the ability to identify, assess, diagnose, treat, house, and create aftercare services for homeless people with TBI.
'Asking for Help': Do You Know How?
Not asking for help, or asking too late, can turn a manageable situation into something more serious …
'Asking for Help': Facilitating Important Behaviors for Health and Family Function
Healthcare professionals and families often encounter individuals who need, but do not know how to ask for help.
Coping Skills and Self-Esteem Are Important After a TBI
A study looking at the implications of self-esteem and recovery after a TBI.
Engaging Veterans and Families to Enhance Service Delivery
A thorough toolkit to help veterans and their families get the services they need.
Post-Deployment Syndrome: The Illness of War
"Maybe the ultimate wound is the one that makes you miss the war you got it in."
Re-establishing Normalcy
Trauma is a fact of life, but it doesn't have to be a life sentence. Learn to heal your body and mind after post-deployment syndrome.
Normal Tantrum or Signs of a Brain Injury?
How parents can work with their child’s doctor and school in case of an undiagnosed brain injury.
Hallucinations and Delusions After a Brain Injury
Can certain medication, social isolation — or both — cause psychiatric problems for someone with a TBI?
Flat Affect and Brain Injury
A brain injury can sometimes limit a person’s ability to express emotions — temporarily or permanently.
What Is Post-Deployment Syndrome?
Post-deployment syndrome can include concussion, PTSD, major depression, chronic pain, and general anxiety disorder.
Brain Injury, PTSD, and Behavior
Symptoms of TBI and PTSD overlap; treating the whole person is crucial.
Comorbid Emotional and Behavioral Conditions of TBI
The third of a four-part podcast series for healthcare professionals who are NOT specialists in brain injury.
Understanding Everybody’s Behavior After Brain Injury: Don’t “Don’t!”
Behavior can be one of brain injury’s most perplexing challenges. Learn more.
Why Does My Wife Ask the Same Questions Over and Over?
Learn what perseveration is and how to cope after a brain injury.
Psychiatric and Neurologic Aspects of War: An Overview and Perspective
More research is needed to understand the psychiatric and neurologic consequences of combat.
Effects of Psychological and Biomechanical Trauma on Brain and Behavior
Learn more about combat-related psychological and biochemical trauma.
The Emotional Consequences of Concussion
Lots of rest, sleep, and reduced stress are crucial for a child recovering from a mild TBI.
Back to School After a Concussion
Addressing cognitive, academic, or behavioral issues in students with TBI early will help with school success.
Why Has My Sister’s Personality Changed Since Her Traumatic Brain Injury?
Emotional regulation can be challenging after a brain injury.
Emotional and Behavioral Changes in Children After Brain Injury
Everything affects the outcome after a TBI -- from the severity of the injury to the ongoing support of family, friends, and community.
Risky Behaviors and Brain Injury
Therapeutic intervention can change lives.
Risky Behavior and Brain Injury
Learn why after being in combat zone, drinking and driving may not seem like risky behavior.
Emotional Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury
Emotional changes can be very tricky after a brain injury -- for the injured person and his family.
Battlemind: Traumatic Brain Injury & PTSD
Learn more about how the military addresses mild TBI and PTSD in their soldiers.
¿Cuáles son los signos y síntomas del traumatismo cerebral?
Aprende más sobre los signos y síntomas del traumatismo cerebral y sus variaciones.
Working to Improve Emotional Processing After Brain Injury
Treatment may help people with TBI decipher emotional clues.
Seasonal Affective Disorder and Brain Injury
Research is not conclusive, but we do know that the risk of mood disorders increases.
Motivation After a TBI
Behavior can change after a TBI. Learn the causes and how to help.
Interventions For Behavioral Problems After Brain Injury
Success in adapting to changes after injury depends greatly on support from your social network.
Managing Intense Feelings
Learn how to use your emotions to your advantage.
Managing Crises and Stress Effectively
Remember: no one is immune, but these strategies may help.
Living with and Having Mixed Feelings About a Survivor Who Is Very Different
This self-assessment can help you cope.
Coping with Loss and Change
Rate yourself and learn some helpful tips for life after brain injury.
Building Relationships and Overcoming Loneliness
A brain injury doesn't mean you have to be alone. Take this self-assessment and learn skills to connect with people.
Recognizing Others' Emotions After TBI
A difficult skill to teach.
BrainLine Talks with Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer and Dr. Taryn Stejskal About Teaching and Maintaining Positivity and Hope
Having an optimistic outlook can make all the difference during recovery.
BrainLine Talks with Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer and Dr. Taryn Stejskal
Strategies and thoughts from two family and marriage counselors.
Neuroanatomy of Behavior After Brain Injury
You don't like my behavior? You'll have to discuss that with my brain directly.
Who Me? Self-Esteem for People with Disabilities
How to view yourself in a positive light.
Postponing Gratification
Controlling impulsivity can be difficult for people with TBI.
Emotional and Physical Recovery Are Two Different Things
Helping to heal the whole person.
Caron Gan Talks About Educating Families About Behavioral Changes
TBI affects the whole family. Hear advice from a family therapist.
Caron Gan Talks About Behavior and Personality Changes After TBI
Why is my loved one's behavior and personality suddenly different?
Caron Gan Talks About Spouses After Injury
Hear what this marriage and family therapist has to say.
Caron Gan Talks About Working With Adolescents After Brain Injury
Adolescence is never easy. Hear how this family therapist works with young adults with TBI.
Socializing Safely After TBI
Helping an adult child move toward independence comes with risks.
Dr. Tedd Judd Talks About Understanding Behavior Changes with TBI
Emotional and behavioral changes in a person after a TBI can be significant.
Dr. Tedd Judd Talks Incorporating Brain Injury and Cultural Background
The more doctors or therapists know about the background and traditions of their patients, the more effective they will be.
The Nuances of Self-Awareness Post-TBI
A person's level of self-awareness after a brain injury can impact rehab.
Ain't Misbehaving
Understanding the meaning behind difficult behavior.
Handling Behavior
What are the most effective ways to deal with challenging behavior in kids?
Anger: Managing Intense Emotions
Why is anger so hard to handle after TBI?
Dr. Maria Mouratidis Talks About Differences in Expressing Emotion After Injury
BrainLine talks with Dr. Maria Mouratidis about differences in expressing emotion after injury.
Dr. Maria Mouratidis Talks About How to Address Thoughts of Suicide
BrainLine talks with Dr. Maria Mouratidis about how to address thoughts of suicide in someone dealing with a TBI, PTSD or depression.
Understanding Behavior
Learn how the A-B-C Chart for challenging behavior can help you.
Reducing Restraint and Seclusion of Individuals with TBI
Learn about the issues and behavioral challenges of individuals with TBI and the concerns about using seclusion and restraint on these individuals.
La importancia de descansar
Infórmese sobre la importancia del descanso después de una lesión cerebral.
Positive Effects on Mood After Exercise
Learn how physical activity affects mood for people with TBI.
Brain Injury, Behavioral Challenges, and the Holidays
Worried about your loved one's behavior during the holidays?
Brain Injury, Social Skills, and the Holidays
After a traumatic brain injury, holidays and social gatherings can be rocky for someone with brain injury. Carolyn Rocchio offers advice to prepare someone with a TBI for holiday party interactions with family and friends.
Making Connections After Brain Injury: A Guide for Social Peer Mentors
A resource for social peer mentors.
Brain Injury: Why Does My Loved One Act Out?
Learn more about the emotional and behavioral changes after a brain injury.
Impaired Cognition: Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about cognition and what happens when it is impaired after a TBI.
TBI Consumer Report: Peer Mentoring
Feel like nobody understands what you're going through?
Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services To Assist Recovery
Learn more about the psychological and cognitive wounds of war — and where to get help.
Breaking the Silence: Violence as a Cause and a Consequence of Traumatic Brain Injury
Ever wonder about the overlap between TBI and violence?
Social Communication and TBI
Do you have a hard time communicating with your friends, family, or co-workers?
PTSD Fact Sheet: Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about this complex and sometimes debilitating mental state.
TBI Consumer Report: Coping with Post-TBI Emotional Distress
Learn why depression and anxiety are common after TBI.
Memory Matters: How and Where Can I Meet New Friends or People to Date?
Having a hard time making friends? You are not alone. Try these strategies.
Behavioral Considerations Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury
Children with TBI need tailored care in the classroom.
How to Clean Up Stinking Thinking and Cope Better
Turn your negative thoughts into hopeful ones.
TBI Research Review: Post-TBI Depression
Learn more about how depression and brain injury are connected.
Understanding Your Emotions
It's common — and understandable — to feel overwhelmed after a TBI.
Management of Behavioral Problems During Acute Rehabilitation of Individuals with TBI
Behaviorial issues can be significant challenges to rehab staff.
El enojo después de lesión cerebral
Aprende más sobre el enojo después de una lesión cerebral.
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BrainLine.org is a WETA website funded by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center through a contract with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Government funding support is not an endorsement of WETA or any of its products, including this website.
