What is a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)?
First, “mild” does not mean “minor” in this context. The effects of a mild traumatic brain injury can be as disruptive and emotionally devastating for victims and their families as an open head traumatic brain injury. The primary difference between mild traumatic brain injuries and more severe traumatic brain injuries lies in the symptoms. While severe TBI can manifest itself with dramatic symptoms – paralysis, amnesia, incomprehensible speech, inability to walk – the effects of MTBI tend to be more subtle and unfold over time. In many cases, victims of MTBI appear to be perfectly “normal” to family, friends, and even medical professionals. Some common symptoms of MTBI are mental slowness, poor concentration, irregular sleep patterns, temporary hearing loss, problems with vision, and fluctuations in mood. Often, victims seem to be in a bad mood – cranky, difficult, and abrupt. This can cause family members to become aggravated, which can result in both victims and family members fallin
