About Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Acquired Brain Injury is defined nationally as ‘…injury to the brain which results in deterioration of cognitive, physical, emotional or independent functions. It can occur as a result of trauma, hypoxia, infection, substance abuse, degenerative neurological disease or stroke. These impairments to cognitive abilities, sensory or physical function can be either temporary or permanent and cause partial or total disability or psychosocial maladjustment.’ *

Acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to any type of injury to the brain that occurs after birth. It can result from numerous causes and, like every individual, every brain injury is unique. The nature of each person’s ABI depends not only on the cause, but also on which area of the brain suffers damage. ABI can affect a person’s physical, cognitive or emotional functions or, in some cases, affect all three functional areas. This can have serious effects on the level of independence enjoyed by the person prior to their brain injury.

How brain injury affects a person
The long term effects of brain injury are difficult to predict. They will be different for each person and can range from mild to profound. It is common for many people with ABI to experience increased fatigue (mental and physical) and some slowing down in the speed with which they process information, plan and solve problems. They may experience changes to their behaviour and personality, physical and sensory abilities, or thinking and learning.

ABI is often referred to as the ‘hidden’ or ‘invisible’ disability because it is not always obvious however it can result in significant restrictions on a person’s ability to participate fully in education, employment and other aspects of life. Relationships with families, friends and carers can also be affected by behavioural personality and changes.

Common cognitive effects include:
Poor concentration, slowed responses, lack of insight, poor short term memory, lack of initiative, inflexibility, poor planning and problem solving, talking excessively, difficulties in understanding speech, and inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Common physical effects include:
Fatigue, balance problems, paralysis, decreased motor control, sleep disturbances, communication difficulties, hearing loss, visual problems, and difficulty with temperature control.

Common emotional effects include:
Depression, anxiety, mood swings, emotional lability, lack of self control (disinhibition), irritability, temper, impulsivity, socially inappropriate behaviour, self-centredness, and dependency.

Common medical effects include:
Epilepsy, swallowing difficulties, incontinence, changes to sense, headaches, psychiatric symptoms such as visual and auditory hallucinations and hydrocephalus (an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within cavities called ventricles inside the brain).

The Brain Injury Association of Tasmania has a series of FREE ‘Brain injury information sheets’ available on a variety of ABI related topics. Contact the Association on 1300 BIA TAS (1300 242 827) or email enquiries@biat.org.au for further details.

*(1994) National Policy on Services for People with Acquired Brain Injury, Canberra, Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health p.26

 

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