Head Injury

What is it?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when there is damage to the brain due to a physical trauma. There are many things that can cause a TBI, some common examples include:

• Motor vehicle accident/s
• Sporting accidents
• Falls
• Assaults

What are the typical characteristics?

The pattern and severity of cognitive and behavioural difficulties following a TBI depends on the severity of the TBI.

Mild TBI

While acute cognitive difficulties in the domains of attention, memory and information processing speed can be observed within the first 30 days following a mild TBI, in most cases, a full recovery occurs within 90 days post-injury.

However, a subset of patients with mild TBI experience persistent cognitive, physical and/or emotional symptoms 3-6 months after a mild TBI, what we call post-concussion syndrome.

Common Post-Concussion Syndrome Symptoms

• Physical symptoms: Fatigue, headache, dizziness, sleep difficulties
• Personality changes: Irritability, depression, anxiety, emotional lability
• Cognitive difficulties: Concentration, memory, or other difficulties

Moderate to Extremely Severe TBI

Impairments in executive functions resulting in the following cognitive and behavioural presentations:

• Cognitive difficulties in the domains of planning and organization, multi-tasking, quick generation of ideas and working memory (i.e., the ability to hold and manipulate information in mind, which is needed in mental calculations and keeping track of conversations), as well as rigid and concrete thinking
• Behavioural changes: Apathy, reduced motivation, disinhibition, impulsivity, irritability and agitation, and reduced insight

Persistent cognitive deficits can also be observed in other domains including attention, memory and speed of information processing

How can an assessment help?

As every individual with TBI presents with a different profile of cognitive and/or behavioural difficulties and different rates and trajectories of recovery, a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is necessary to determine the impact of the injury on your cognitive and behavioural functioning as well as to monitor your recovery.

Sometimes, an individual may be referred for a neuropsychological assessment to determine capacity to return to work, driving, to manage one’s own finances, or to make lifestyle decisions.

How does Invictus Health do things differently?

Invictus Health consists of a team of Clinical Neuropsychologists with extensive experience in working with clients with TBI of various aetiologies. We conduct comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to determine the extent and nature of cognitive and behavioural impairments, taking into account all potential contributing factors such as existing physical and mental health conditions.

On the basis of your profile, we provide individually tailored recommendations of strategies and support services to maximise your functional gains and facilitate recovery.