Understanding Mental Health

The Art of the Healing Life ...

Understanding Mental Health

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is damage to the brain resulting from a blow or impact to the head, neck, or body. This injury can occur when an object penetrates the skull (penetrating TBI, like a bullet or shattered skull fragment) or when the skull remains intact (non-penetrative TBI, such as being struck in the head by an object).

How does TBI differ from an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a term encompassing any brain damage occurring after birth. ABIs can result from various circumstances or health-related events and are not limited to one specific disease or condition. TBI is just one type of ABI, with other causes including stroke, seizures, brain tumors, infections (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis), degenerative brain conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, drug or alcohol-related events, poisoning, and insufficient oxygen supply to the brain (e.g., near-drowning or cardiac arrest).

What leads to a TBI?
TBIs can happen under various circumstances, with common causes including falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, and assault (including domestic violence). It's important to note that TBI can affect anyone, but certain groups, such as infants, young adults (15-24 years), males of all ages, and adults over 65, may be more at risk.

The Spectrum of Severity TBIs can range from mild to moderate or severe, and their severity is typically assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which evaluates a person's motor, verbal, and eye responses. A GCS score can range from 3 to 15, where 3 indicates very severe TBI, and 15 represents full consciousness and cognitive function. A mild TBI is usually defined by a GCS score of 13-15. The severity and symptoms of a TBI can be influenced by various factors, including a person's prior history of TBI, time before receiving medical care, treatment approach, consciousness loss duration, and the affected brain areas.
The Inverse Mandela Effect:
Cognitive Impact of Mental Illness, ABI, and TBI In addition to the well-known Mandela effect, which involves the phenomenon of misremembering details or events, there exists what can be termed the "inverse Mandela effect." This concept pertains to how mental illnesses, Acquired Brain Injuries (ABIs), and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can profoundly affect how the brain functions and lead to various cognitive changes.

Mental illness, ABIs, and TBIs can disrupt synaptic connections, alter neural pathways, and cause a range of cognitive impairments. In essence, the inverse Mandela effect describes how these conditions can distort an individual's perception of reality and affect memory, decision-making, and overall cognitive function.
What are the signs and symptoms of TBI?
TBI can lead to a wide array of visible signs and reported symptoms, which can vary from person to person. These signs and symptoms may appear immediately after the injury or develop in the hours or days following it. They encompass:

Headaches and Migraines
Loss of consciousness or deteriorating conscious state
Nausea and/or vomiting
Balance issues or coordination difficulties
Dilated pupils or vision changes (e.g., blurred or double vision)
Sensitivity to light or noise
Seizures or convulsions
Dizziness or balance problems
Confusion or memory issues
Slurred speech
Restlessness, agitation, irritability
Sleep disturbances (excessive or insufficient sleep)

In infants and young children who have experienced a TBI, they may not be able to articulate their feelings. Instead, they might display signs such as inconsolable crying, refusal to eat or drink, or non-stop crying.

What Are the Consequences of TBI?
TBI can result in a broad range of physical and psychological effects, some of which may be immediately apparent, while others may develop over time. The specific complications depend on the affected brain areas and their extent. These consequences may include:

Altered states of consciousness (e.g., coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, brain death)
Physical complications (e.g., seizures, hydrocephalus, skull fractures, blood vessel damage)
Headaches or migraines
Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems
Cranial nerve damage
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Impaired movement and muscle strength
Feeding and swallowing difficulties

Following a TBI, individuals may also experience changes in cognitive abilities, behavior, emotions, communication, and sensation/perception. These consequences can be a source of frustration, conflict, and misunderstanding for both the person with TBI and their support network, requiring time, patience, and understanding to adapt to new challenges.

I HAVE CREATED THE FOLLOWING METHOD FOR MYSELF WHEN ASSESSING PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY...

Physical & Psychological Injury Severity Scale (PPIS)

Please remember that this is not medical advice. If you or anyone you know is suffering from an injury, please seek professional medical advice as soon as possible.

This Scale is based on the idea of the Fujita Scale to categorize physical and psychological injury severity.

However, it's important to note that the comparison between physical and psychological injuries is complex, and developing such a scale requires careful consideration. Physical and Psychological injuries can manifest in diverse ways and can be influenced by various factors, making it challenging to create a one-size-fits-all scale.

With that said, I ask that you explore this theoretical concept for a Physical and Psychological Injury Severity Scale inspired by the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Please KEEP in mind that this is a theoretical exercise and not a scientifically validated scale:

PPIS-5 (Physical and Psychological Injury Severity):
   - Description: Severe and acute Physical and Psychological injury requiring immediate and intensive professional and long-term care.
   - Characteristics: This level of injury would involve significant impairment in daily functioning, complete hospitalization, physical disability, including extreme distress leading to the inability to cope with daily life without care. It may result from severe trauma or a catastrophic life event.

PPIS-4 (Physical and Psychological Injury Severity):
   - Description: This may be a PIS-5 event, or other less severe Physical and Psychological injury resulting in significant disability but the individual can still function with some form of support and assistance going forward.
   - Characteristics: This level may involve persistent symptoms, such as chronic anxiety or depression, pain, and is a constant problem and difficulties in personal and professional life if this person is able to go back to work. The individual may require ongoing therapy and support to manage the impact of the injury.

PPIS-3 (Physical and Psychological Injury Severity):
   - Description: Physical and Psychological injury that may have started as a PIS 4 or 5 and is now of high to moderate impact but with stable, long-term consequences will need retraining and support as required going forward.
   - Characteristics: At this level, the person may experience high to moderate symptoms and challenges in specific areas of life but can maintain some level of independence and functionality. The individual may adapt to the injury over time but will not fully recover.

PPIS-2 (Physical and Psychological Injury Severity):
   - Description: Physical and Psychological injury requiring time and therapy for healing and recovery.
   - Characteristics: This level may involve traumatic experiences that cause significant distress but have a good prognosis for recovery with appropriate intervention. The person may benefit from therapy and support to facilitate healing.

PPIS-1 (Physical and Psychological Injury Severity):
   - Description: Physical and Psychological injury with the potential for full recovery.
   - Characteristics: At this level, the individual may experience distressing events but is likely to recover with time and minimal intervention. With proper support and self-care, the person may regain full functionality relatively quickly.

It's important to reiterate that this scale is purely conceptual and not scientifically validated. Developing a scientifically and universally applicable Physical and Psychological Injury Severity Scale would require extensive research, collaboration with mental health professionals, and validation through empirical studies.

Nevertheless, this is my contribution to promoting awareness about physical and psychological well-being and the impact of different types of injuries, including mental illness, which I believe can be valuable in fostering understanding, empathy, and support for those in need.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain that occurs as a result of a physical impact to the head or to the body. Learn more about the causes and symptoms.

"What is a mild (TBI), Concussion?
A mild TBI, often referred to as a concussion, is the least severe traumatic brain injury and can result from various accidents or head trauma.

TBI Symptoms Explained & Sharing Insights on TBI: A Personal Perspective
Following a traumatic brain injury, individuals may experience a range of symptoms. The severity of these symptoms depends on the extent of the injury. These resources aim to enhance the rehabilitation journey and improve overall well-being following a TBI.

Post-Concussion Symptoms
Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms (PPCS), also known as post-concussion syndrome, occur when concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) symptoms last longer than expected after an injury. Most people recover from concussion uneventfully, but some individuals will experience a prolonged duration of symptoms."