08/03/2025
Good information!! 🧠
**MYTHS and FACTS about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)**
1. You need to be knocked out to have a brain injury.**
**FALSE** - Recent research shows that even mild, jarring impacts like a soccer header or bumping your head on a car door can lead to TBI. Symptoms may be subtle and brief, such as feeling dazed for a few seconds, but unconsciousness is not required for a diagnosis of TBI.
2. If you're only mildly impacted, you can resume normal activities immediately.**
**FALSE** - Emerging studies emphasize the importance of brain rest following an injury. This includes reducing exposure to light, noise, and physical activity, crucial for recovery. This guidance is now standard in protocols for student athletes and military personnel alike, reflecting the serious nature of even mild concussions.
3. Minor concussions aren't serious.**
**FALSE** - All head injuries should be taken seriously and monitored closely. Research indicates that the greatest predictor of a future TBI is a previous one, with cumulative effects often exacerbating the injury. Conditions like Second Impact Syndrome can be life-threatening and occur when a second concussion happens before the first has fully healed.
4. Everyone who avoids crowds has PTSD.**
**FALSE** - Avoiding crowded and noisy environments is a common symptom of TBI due to the brain's reduced capacity to filter stimuli. This can lead to sensory overload, triggering adrenaline release and even panic attacks, which is why those with TBI might avoid such settings.
5. Alcohol can calm TBI-related stress.**
**FALSE** - While 70%-90% of people with TBI might turn to substances like alcohol or ma*****na for relief, these can exacerbate symptoms and interfere with recovery. Alcohol particularly affects cognitive function and can worsen brain injury symptoms.
6. A headache from TBI can be treated with common pain relievers.**
**FALSE** - Persistent headaches following a TBI often indicate vascular issues and should be treated with caution. Over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin and Tylenol are not advisable as they can cause further complications. It's important to consult healthcare providers for appropriate treatment.
7. Memory or concentration issues post-TBI mean mental instability.**
**FALSE** - Cognitive challenges post-TBI reflect brain function impairment, not mental health instability. Advances in neuroimaging have enhanced our ability to pinpoint the affected brain areas, allowing for targeted interventions.
8. Normal CT scans or MRIs mean your symptoms are imagined.**
**FALSE** - Standard imaging tests often fail to detect microscopic brain injuries. Advanced techniques like diffusion tensor imaging, SPECT, and PET scans provide more detailed views, helping to diagnose and understand TBI even when traditional scans appear normal.
9. Recovery from brain injury is impossible after six months.**
**FALSE** - The brain has the potential to heal for up to two years or more post-injury. Nerve healing is a slow process that can be supported by various therapies such as cognitive rehabilitation, speech therapy, and physical exercises designed to retrain the brain and improve functional recovery.
10. You will completely return to your pre-injury self.**
**FALSE** - TBI often results in lasting changes in brain function and personality. Recovery is a gradual process, and while some functions may return, others may not. Adapting to these changes with technology and support can help improve quality of life, but expectations of a full return to one's former self may need adjustment. Family support and counseling are vital during recovery.
**Support our veterans with TBI** - Join us at The Battle Buddy Foundation as we stand with those who face these "Invisible Wounds of War." Let's bring awareness and aid to those in need. Semper Fi!
