If you or someone you love has been afflicted with a traumatic brain injury (or, TBI), then you know: there are several poorly-informed myths surrounding this type of injury. Here are the top 5:

• If a person looks okay after he or she has been impaired, they must be okay. Wrong! It is very possible for a person who has just sustained a TBI to be walking around and talking to people, without realizing the extent of their injuries.
• Mild TBIs are not very debilitating. Even those people who have mild TBIs may experience severe or long-lasting consequences, that run the gamut from physical symptoms to psychological consequences.
• Recovery is a linear process. Not at all – recovery can be very messy, inconsistent, and those with TBIs may feel better or worse at different times throughout the recovery period. Recovery from a TBI does not follow a neat pattern. There is no timeframe or limit; each person’s recovery looks quite different. It’s true!
• TBI’s only happen when someone gets knocked unconscious. Nope! Some people with TBI’s are only dazed for a few minutes or two, but they never get knocked unconscious.
• Your IQ is affected by your traumatic brain injury. Wrong again – your IQ level is certainly not automatically affected by your TBI.

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Do you have further questions about the many myths that surround traumatic brain injuries? At TryMunity, we provide a vast web of resources and support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you and offer our assistance!

One of the most unfortunate side effects of a traumatic brain injury (or, TBI) is the subsequent memory loss and cognition failure that can occur. But, there ARE ways to combat this. When it comes to recovering memory and fine-tuning your cognitive powers, there are various mobile games and apps out there that do the trick!

1. For Android users, try…Memory Trainer or Brain Workout. Both Memory Trainer and Brain Workout are top-tier, effective apps designed to help train your brain. Memory Trainer incorporates lots of fun exercises and mini-games that work out your spatial memory, and general focus and concentration. Brain Workout does much the same — this app has various games that test your memory, concentration, and reaction times, all while tracking your progress.
2. For iPhone users, try…Portrait Health Brain Teasers, Brain Trainer, or Duolingo. Duolingo is a foreign language learning app, but it can help significantly with both your memory and cognitive abilities. Portrait Health Brain Teasers tests you in five different areas: visual perception, memory, critical thinking, word skills, and general coordination. Lastly, Brain Trainer is a popular app, for a reason — this app features several different mini-games that are guaranteed to hone your cognitive skills, enhance your memory, improve your focus and mental flexibility, and help with problem solving, as well.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about redeveloping critical thinking skills and memory through mobile apps? At TryMunity, we provide a vast web of resources and support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you and offer our assistance!

When it comes to traumatic brain injuries, one of the most common questions we hear is: Is recovery possible? While the answer to this question isn’t always simple, here are some of the major facets of the typical TBI recovery process:

• Confusion and disorientation is normal, and to be expected. A state of confusion often follows a TBI. While this stage of TBI recovery can be hard on the patient, it WILL get better.
• The fastest improvements tend to happen in the six-month period following the injury. During these six crucial months of the TBI recovery process, this is when the patient’s improvement will be most rapid. This is NOT to say that improvements will not occur after the six-month period is up, but they will likely occur at a slower pace. This is okay, and it is a normal part of recovery.
• It’s normal for recovery to inconsistent. Though it can be frustrating when a TBI patient experiences “relapses” or other forms of inconsistent behavior, just know that this is normal.
• Recovery is possible – but it may be a long road. The truth is, while exact recovery time is wholly dependent on the TBI patient’s injuries, recovery IS possible. There may also be long-term impacts and effects, which is why it’s always best to consult a neurologist or other professional to determine recovery time.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about TBI recovery? At TryMunity, we provide a vast web of resources and support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you.

Are you unsure of the difference between a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and an acquired brain injury (ABI)?

If so, you’re not alone! Most people aren’t aware of the differences between the two. In truth, these are both complex, wide-ranging injuries. Here at TryMunity, we’ve decided it would be helpful to delineate the differences between a TBI and an ABI. We’ve provided definitions of each below, as well as their key characteristics. Check these out, below:

Traumatic Brain Injuries Versus Acquired Brain Injuries: The Basics

An acquired brain injury is a brain injury that has occurred after birth, but is not directly linked to any kind of congenital defect. Various causes of an ABI include (but are not limited to): infection, strokes, substance abuse, trauma, and hypoxia. ABI’s can cause severe cognitive, physical, and behavioral dysfunction in the afflicted individual.

A traumatic brain injury is technically considered to be a subset of the larger group, ABI’s. Essentially, TBI’s result from sudden physical damage to the brain. Common causes of TBI’s include (but are not limited to): strokes, concussions, a lack of oxygen to the brain, toxic exposure, brain bleeding, and general traumatic forces. Other common causes include: car crashes, head gunshot wounds, embolisms, hematomas, and brain hemorrhaging.

TBI’s can be included in the wide umbrella of acquired brain injuries. However, treatment tends to be very different for each of these types of brain injuries.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

At TryMunity, we provide a vast web of resources and support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you.