Understanding how brain injuries affect mental health

A brain injury can cause significant changes in personality. Sometimes these changes are temporary, and sometimes they are permanent. Most people understand that there will be physical effects of a brain injury — a person could need major medical treatment and physical therapy on the road to recovery — but a brain injury can also cause major changes in a person’s mental health. The severity of the injury, its location in the brain, and the person’s mental health before the injury can all play roles in how the injury affects a person’s emotions.

What kinds of emotional changes might a victim experience?

Many people who have a brain injury will have mood swings. These are often uncontrollable and can be quite severe. The severity of mood swings can vary greatly, but they often involve anger, sadness, aggression and even happiness.

Seeing a mental health professional can be helpful when coping with the wide range of emotions a brain injury victim may experience. People who get help soon after the injury are often able to overcome difficulties much faster. Even years after the injury occurs, a person might need to seek help if they notice mood swings or other serious emotional troubles.

If you suffer a brain injury, it is very important to get proper medical care, including care for your mental health. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, the cost of this care may be covered in a personal injury claim for compensation. For more on that, please see our Personal Injury FAQ.