Our service members put their lives on the line to protect our country, and they don’t always come home without injuries or permanent disabilities. One common condition affecting many service members is a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

TBIs can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life without the proper treatment and care. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a TBI, it’s important to learn what you can about them, the resources available for treatment, and how to receive the proper care to live a fulfilling life at home.

What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries and Why Do They Affect Service Members?

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are injuries to the brain that are caused by an external force, which usually occur when the head experiences a sudden jolt, bump, or blow. Objects entering the brain can also cause a TBI. It’s important to note that not all bumps or blows to the head result in TBIs, but they are certainly a risk factor.

Some TBIs result in short-term or temporary effects while others can be severe enough to cause permanent, life-long issues. There are some situations where a person may have a TBI both from a blow to the head and an object entering their brain.

The nature of our service members' work increases their risk of developing a TBI. Vehicle collisions, parachute training, hard falls, blows to the head, blasts, and explosions can all cause a TBI, which can cause symptoms that affect our troops negatively in both the short and long term. TBIs can also increase the risk of mental health problems and sleeping conditions, which service members are already at risk for as part of their work.

Effects and Symptoms of TBIs

TBIs can have a significant effect on all parts of the body and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some of the common effects of TBIs include:

●Physical: Some of the most common physical symptoms you’ll experience if you get a TBI include dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, and balance issues. You may also experience a ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus. Muscle weakness, light sensitivity, nausea, and slurred speech are also common with TBIs.

●Mental: Since TBIs affect the brain, they can increase the risk of service members developing mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Following a TBI, service members may also be at an increased risk for developing substance abuse disorders and may be at a greater risk for suicide.

●Behavioral: If a service member has developed a TBI, you may notice significant changes in their day-to-day behaviors. They may become more impulsive or reckless and angry or irritated more easily. These behavioral changes can start to have a noticeable effect on a service member's life once they begin to interfere with their work, family, or overall quality of life.

●Cognitive: TBIs can have a significant cognitive effect on a person. Service members with a TBI may notice that their memory, concentration, and thinking abilities have become impacted. People with a TBI may also find it more difficult to keep up with their daily tasks, make decisions, or solve problems.

Resources for Service Members With TBIs

If you’re a service member with a TBI or someone you know has a TBI as a result of their service, there are resources out there to help you improve your well-being, even if the injury is severe and has resulted in permanent disability. Some of the resources available to you include:

1. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers readjustment counseling for service members and their families to help them readjust to life after coming home from a combat deployment. This counseling can help you and your family better understand your condition and how to cope with the changes you might experience in your life. The counseling can also provide guidance on how to navigate the new challenges you’ll face and how to ease into your adjustment.

2. DCoE TBI

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE TBI) provides information and resources to service members struggling with TBIs. The aim of DCoE TBI is to advance the science of TBIs and meet future challenges that affect brain health. Here, you can find valuable resources to help you manage your TBI and get the treatment you need for a better life.

3. Mental Health Treatment

TBIs can have a significant impact on your mental health and leave you more vulnerable to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Seeking out mental health treatment and therapy can help you learn how to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Common types of therapy for people with TBIs include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills testing (SST), and Illness Management and Recovery (IMR).

If your family is having trouble adjusting to the changes brought on by your TBI, you can also consider seeking family counseling. You’ll receive guidance and information that can help you and your family better adjust to your new reality as you cope with your condition.

4. Military Crisis Line

Many people with TBIs often struggle with their mental health and are at a greater risk for suicide, which is where the Military Crisis Line comes in. If you are a service member or veteran who’s struggling or you know of a service member who’s struggling, you can contact the Military Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1. You can also text the crisis line at 838255 if you don’t want to or can’t make a phone call.

The Military Crisis Line is available 24/7 and can help you find immediate support and resources when you’re struggling. They can talk with you and connect you to the right support network to help you navigate your current situation and challenges.

5. Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative (MTBI2)

MTBI2 is a research organization that studies everything about TBIs, from mild to severe cases, and the various causes of the condition. The goal is to minimize the drastic and damaging effects of traumatic brain injuries that impact our service members. Here, you can find some of the latest research information regarding TBIs and how treatments are progressing to help service members live more fulfilling and healthier lives.

6. Shepherd Center

The Shepherd Center is an organization that provides care to service members who are struggling with brain injuries and related mental health concerns. The aim is to help service members rehabilitate their brain injuries so they can move on to lead fulfilling lives beyond their injuries. You can find multiple patient rehabilitation programs to address your specific needs and concerns.

How You Can Help a Loved One With a TBI

If someone in your life is struggling with a TBI, you may have to take on the role of caregiver depending on the severity of the injury. Even if you’re not a caregiver, it can be an adjustment to live with someone who is now struggling with a brain injury. Despite these challenges, there are ways to cope and help your loved one lead a fulfilling life while they’re dealing with a TBI, such as:

●Assisting with multiple tasks: Since TBIs can make it difficult to concentrate, people with this condition can find it difficult to multi-task. You can make it easier for your loved one to manage their tasks by breaking things down one step at a time and using things like calendars, to-do lists, or notebooks to keep track of everything.

●Being sensitive to fatigue: It’s easy for someone with a TBI to experience exhaustion or become overwhelmed. If you notice that your loved one is starting to exhibit these symptoms, suggest that they take a break from what they’re doing and return to the task at another time when they’re feeling more energized and focused.

●Learning about resources: You should take some time to research what resources are available to you and your loved one so you’re getting the help and support you need. If you’re a caregiver, the VA has resources available so you can be more effective at caring for your loved one while also caring for yourself.

●Establishing a routine: A routine can help your loved one manage their days and their energy levels so they can still be productive while getting the rest they need. Try to make your routine to the most strenuous or important activities in the morning or at the start of your day since energy levels start to decline as the day goes on, especially with someone who has a TBI. Remember that someone with a TBI will have good and bad days and it’s an expected part of their recovery, so try to be as patient as possible as they’re healing.

●Taking care of yourself: While you’re taking care of your loved one, it’s also important to remember to take care of yourself. You can’t help anyone if you’re not doing well yourself, so it’s important to get sleep, eat well, exercise, visit the doctor, give yourself some time off, and do things you enjoy to care for your physical and mental well-being. Only then can you effectively care for your loved one.

MLC Offers Our Gratitude for Our Troop’s Sacrifices

We know that freedom doesn’t come free, and many of our service members return home with injuries or disabilities that have a lasting impact on the rest of their lives. We would like to humbly thank all of our service members and offer our gratitude to those who have suffered loss or experienced hardship as a result of their service. We are forever grateful for your commitment to our freedom and hope that the information we provided can help you and your family in a meaningful way.