When you experience a car accident and walk away, you may feel relieved that you are not injured. You look yourself over and see no cuts or broken bones and consider yourself lucky.
Unfortunately, there are serious injuries that you may not notice right away. While you may have a headache, you may not immediately think that your car accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
These are some of the symptoms of a TBI that are easy to overlook.
Changes in sleep patterns
Going through a car accident can be stressful, even if you seem to be uninjured. Changes in sleep patterns could be a way you are coping with the emotional trauma of the accident, or it could be a sign of a traumatic brain injury.
You should consult with a physician if you find you are more tired than usual, if you cannot sleep or if you have difficulty waking up.
Changes in behavior
It can be challenging to notice your changes in behavior because even when your behavior is unusual, your brain compensates by making the unusual behavior make sense.
Typically friends and family are the ones who will notice sudden changes in behavior. If your loved ones are mentioning that you are more sensitive or have difficulty controlling your emotions, it might be a good time to make an appointment with your doctor.
When you think of a traumatic brain injury, you often think of people in comas or who are immediately incapacitated. However, even a minor head injury can lead to a TBI, leaving you with challenges for the rest of your life. The sooner you can get a diagnosis, the sooner you can start treatment, so it is essential to talk to a doctor when you notice signs of a TBI.