> What is Brain Injury? > Clues

Clues (Identifying a possible brain injury)

Behavioral Issues:

• wanders off / runs away
• impulsive (acts without thinking)
• reduced self-esteem
• repeated invasion of personal space
• short fuse - unable to control outbursts
• difficulty maintaining relationships

Cognitive Issues:

• easily distracted
• seems to "space out"
• difficulty understanding
• difficulty with reality
• seems confused
• poor memory
• decreased safety awareness
• slow to answer questions
• difficulty organizing (time, etc.)

Personality Issues:

• denies deficits
• irritable
• egotistical
• doesn't listen
• asks a lot of questions
• argumentative
• manipulative
• appears unmotivated
• moody - laughs or cries easily
• depressed
• face shows little or no emotion
• appears angry

Physical Issues:

• fatigue and / or weakness
• spasticity and tremors
• motor coordination
• speech difficulties
• seizures
• balance
• mobility
• taste or smell changes

Social Issues:

• inappropriate social interaction (overly formal or overly friendly)
• interrupts conversations
• fabricates stories / lies
• inappropriate conversation (sex, drugs, alcohol abuse, etc.)
• poor eye contact
• goes off on tangents

Verbal Issues:

• poor speech
• speaks in a monotone
• vulgarity / swearing
• talks too loud or too soft
• has difficulty "finding" words
• broken speech