Brain Injury
There are two types of brain injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
is an insult to the brain caused by an external force. Causes include motor vehicle crashes, assaults, falls, and sports and blast injuries. Broken bones will heal with a predictable outcome, but a brain injury isn’t as predictable. Medical tests cannot always detect a brain injury much less predict the path of recovery. Living with this uncertainty and the changes in your life caused by the injury can be very difficult for you and your family.
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
is the second type of brain injury. It could be caused by a stroke, a severe illness, exposure to toxic substances, a tumor, or any situation where the brain does not get enough oxygen. Both types of brain injuries produce the same symptoms.
The consequences of traumatic or acquired brain injuries are similar. Physical, psychological, behavioral, emotional and cognitive changes can be temporary or last a lifetime. You may experience issues with balance, hearing, sight; difficulty with short and long term memory; challenges with organizing and completing tasks; or experience sudden mood swings.
The good news is that you can get better after a brain injury, although you may never be completely the same. You will need help and support to adapt. Your family and friends will need support too. There are many programs and agencies to help you. Review our list of Resources and contact us for advice on which services best suit your needs.
Useful Tools
Every 21 Seconds Documentary
Every 21 Seconds is inspired by a true story of a traumatic brain injury survivor (Brian Sweeny). This film explores how the brain injury affects his relationships and his family life. With the support of his family and friends, he gains strength to recover and rebuild a life after sustaining a brain injury.
You can watch the full documentary here or complete the request form for a DVD.
The Impact of Brain Injury in New Mexico
To learn more about the impact of brain injury in New Mexico, the Department of Health conducted an epidemiological study, funded by the Brain Injury Advisory Council. The report provides information on the incidence, causes and impact of both traumatic and acquired brain injury in New Mexico.
Brain Injury Screening Tool
If you think a family member, friend or you have experienced a brain injury, screen now with our quick and easy screening tool that can help you identify signs that MAY indicate a brain injury. This is a screening tool only and will not provide a medical diagnosis. If the screening tool indicates that you have signs and symptoms of a brain injury we encourage you to contact a medical professional for a medical diagnosis.
USA Military Veteran Screening Tool
The 3 Question DVBIC TBI Screening Tool was designed to evaluate USA Military Veterans and identify service members who may need further evaluation for mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).