A head injury causing a mild or severe traumatic brain injury can ultimately lead to changes in the brain make-up that may lead to short and long-term changes in an individual’s cognitive and motor function, sensation and emotions.

Potential effects of severe TBI can lead to being unconsciousness for an extended period of time, having memory loss and an inability to concentrate directly after and an extended period of time after the injury. A TBI can lead to a lack of coordination and balance, hearing, vision, and sensation impairment. Lastly, trauma to the brain can lead to long-lasting emotional effects such as depression, anxiety, aggression, impulse control, and personality changes caused by a change in the brain make-up due to the injury sustaining blow to the brain (“Traumatic brain injury,” 2011).

There are two types of severe Traumatic Brain Injury:

• Closed – an injury to the brain caused by movement of the brain within the skull (e.g. falls)
• Penetrating – an injury to the brain caused by a foreign object entering the skull (e.g. being struck with a sharp object)

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