An unexpected way a crash-related brain injury changes you
Brain injuries are some of the worst possible injuries a person can suffer in a car accident. Some brain injuries are so severe they leave a person on life support indefinitely, while others can affect anything from motor function and balance to memory and cognitive function.
Individuals with mild to moderate
traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may initially believe they can go on with their lives in the same way they lived prior to the accident. However, one of the more unexpected symptoms of a brain injury can also have the most profound and wide-reaching consequences.
An injury to your head can completely change your personality
Your personality is a mixture of your previous life experiences, the culture you grew up in and the unique wiring of your brain. When bleeding or swelling of the brain alters your brain in one way or another, your
personality may change as a result.
People can experience seemingly mild but increasingly obvious symptoms like a lack of patience or difficulty making decisions when they were reserved or decisive before. Others may have an almost immediate change in personality or mood that makes it clear both to them and to the people around them that life will be different due to the TBI.
A changing personality can mean career changes, too
If your behavior and attitude have shifted abruptly, it's easy to see how those changes might affect your interpersonal relationships, such as with your friends and in your marriage. The career implications may not be as obvious or immediate.
However, for many people, the work they do is often also largely dependent on their personality and mood. A person who has worked in sales or customer service their entire life who can no longer smile benignly when a customer insults them may find they can no longer do their job properly. Personality changes could make your work more difficult or even prevent you from being successful, regardless of whether you work as an executive or as a warehouse manager.
Consider the potential impact of a brain injury on your personal life and your career before you accept insurance settlements or make decisions about what you intend to do after a car crash. This simple step can ensure you receive the support you need.