In observance of March being Brain Injury Awareness Month, it is a good opportunity to touch on issues related to what can be a debilitating injury. Depending on the severity of the brain injury, the person dealing with the injury may experience a variety of symptoms including:

• Mood changes.
• Depression.
• Anger.
• Thinking described as "fuzzy."
• Problems with memory.

Because brain injuries often are not accompanied by any physical markings, injured individuals and those interacting with them may downplay the seriousness of the injury and not immediately recognize why these things are happening. The reality however is one need not suffer a traumatic brain injury for the symptoms to be present.

There are many factors that contribute to how long it will take for these symptoms to subside. One neuropsychologist believes that a holistic approach is the best way to address a brain injury. In addition to cognitive rehabilitation he believes counseling for both the injured individual as well as those who serve as a support system, is beneficial. This treatment can be expensive.

There are many reasons that someone could end up needing to seek treatment for a brain injury. Participating in a sporting activity, motor vehicle accidents and trip and falls are just a few of the potential causes of these injuries. When these incidents are due to the negligent actions of another person the injured individual might decide to file a personal injury lawsuit to try to recoup damages to cover the associated expenses. In most cases, for those exploring this option, it is best to act sooner rather than later.

Source: The Augusta Chronicle, "Brain injuries of all severities require follow-up attention," Jeremy Hertza, Psy.D., March 2, 2014