Roughly every 23 seconds, a person somewhere in America suffers a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, the effects of that injury will probably make permanent changes to the victim’s emotions, thought processes, and physical well-being.

Here are the five biggest ways a traumatic brain injury can change your life forever.

• Inability to perform certain actions. In order to perform any skill or job, your brain must learn how to do so. However, when a brain is permanently injured, that knowledge may be lost. It’s not uncommon for TBI survivors to lose their ability to walk properly, hold items, or even speak in full sentences. Some of these skills can be relearned, but the loss will certainly pose serious problems for any TBI patient.
• Problems with mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Depending on the type of TBI, a person may begin struggling with outbursts and strong feelings of anger or sadness. TBI survivors may also cry or laugh without reason, which can be difficult to cope with.
• Unending chronic pain. Although the pain will subside somewhat as your body works to heal, you can experience various sorts of discomfort after a head injury. Some TBI survivors deal with tinnitus or seizures. Others are forced to face lifelong headaches or migraines.
• Negatively-impacted vision. A larger percentage of TBI victims need glasses or contacts after their injury due to problems with light, color, and other aspects of their vision.
• Permanent loss of memories. Some people only experience short-term memory loss. Others occasionally lose memories from long ago. Either way, the part of your brain that processes memories may be drastically affected.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by a traumatic brain injury, seek help at TryMunity. This online support group offers advice, companionship, and information to people whose lives have been changed by a TBI. Learn more at www.trymunity.com.