IQ Loss after a Traumatic Brain Injury

IQ Loss after a Traumatic Brain Injury

Among the possible injuries that somebody could sustain in a motor vehicle accident, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the most severe. A TBI occurs when a blow to the head causes the function of the brain to alter. Sometimes, these changes are temporary. In other cases, they could be permanent. The complications of a TBI can be severe. Statistics released by Brainline show that:

• Nearly three million visits to emergency rooms throughout the country every year are related to a head or brain injury.
• Around 10 percent of these individuals will end up spending one or more nights in a hospital.
• Among the most common complications of a TBI are long-term headaches and mental health concerns.
• Other common complications include memory loss and motor difficulties.

Unfortunately, many of these complications can last for the rest of someone’s life. This can have untoward impacts on not only the individual but also his or her family members.

Study Design: Tracking Individuals Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury

Recently, a study was released discussing the potential impacts of TBIs on an individual’s intelligent quotient (IQ). The study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology followed a group of patients over a period of almost two years. Prior studies have shown that even minor TBIs can have adverse impacts on an individual’s cognitive state. Some of the complications that could arise include:

• Severe mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression.
• Hallucinations and delusions, which are termed psychosis
• Memory issues including difficulty forming new memories and remembering old ones.

The researchers explored whether or not traumatic brain injuries could also impact someone’s IQ. The researchers followed 33 individuals who were diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle collision. These individuals were diagnosed with either mild or moderate traumatic brain injuries and were able to regain some or all of their pre-accident level of motor and sensory function. Unfortunately, these individuals did have some cognitive issues develop over the two years of the study.

The Results of the Study: A Loss of IQ Points

While following the patients throughout 20 months, the researchers periodically tested their IQ. Some of the pertinent results of the study are as follows:

• On average, the individuals suffered an IQ drop of 14 points during the study period.
• In addition, 30 of the 33 individuals were also diagnosed with comorbid psychiatric conditions during the study.
• Examples of possible diagnoses included cerebral personality disorder, PTSD, persistent altered levels of consciousness, and depression.

The researchers postulated that the changes in the individuals’ emotional states, in addition to possible chronic pain disorders, harm someone’s IQ. These problems can be severe, and it is important for families to plan appropriately.

Watch YouTube Video: Tope 5 Clever Facts About Your IQ. This video provides an entertaining look at five random facts about your IQ.

Impact on the Healing Process Following a Traumatic Brain Injury

When someone loses IQ points, this will have impacts on multiple areas of his or her life. The sooner these issues are identified, the quicker they can be addressed. Some of the problems that could arise include:

• Individuals who are still in school might notice that they are having trouble understanding what the teacher says or could fall behind when compared to their peers.
• Those who are in the workforce could have trouble processing information and tasks presented to them on a day to day basis.
• Individuals suffering a head or brain injury might also notice that they are having trouble focusing on the task at hand.

In this situation, it is vital to ask for help. Meeting with a mental health professional could provide families with access to resources that might help them through this difficult time.

Contacting a Brain Injury Lawyer

A traumatic brain injury has wide-ranging and far-reaching impacts on not only the life of the individual but also his or her family and friends. Therefore, it is important to take a comprehensive approach when it comes to the recovery process following a TBI. One of the essential parts of this process is to meet with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer in San Francisco. Some of the resources that a trained injury attorney can provide with include:

• Being an objective presence that can help families make difficult decisions during challenging times
• Providing assistance for families in reviewing records related to the accident
• Seeking damages related to the injuries, any complications, and emotional distress
• Shifting a case to the courtroom when required

Nobody should face a TBI alone. It is important to rely on the help of family, friends, and trained professionals. Call a Bay Area traumatic brain injury lawyer today. You and your family could be deserving of a significant financial settlement.

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in San Francisco