For someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of an accident caused by another person, emotions can run high as they learn to cope.
While some may think that those emotions are the victim’s way of dealing with the accident, many brain injury rehabilitation professionals maintain that unusual emotional behavior is caused by the brain injury itself.
Since certain parts of the brain control different thoughts and emotions, it makes sense that an injury could directly affect a specific emotion. For example, the hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls the body’s response to anger as well as automatic responses such as heart rate and breathing. When the hypothalamus is injured, the person may be unable to control things like clenched fists, a flushed face, or vocal responses like yelling or screaming.
The frontal lobes are responsible for emotions including sadness, happiness, and anger—they also control how a person reacts in social settings. When the frontal lobe is damaged, a person might “act out” or behave inappropriately.
If your loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury in a Kentucky car accident or other serious accident due to the negligence of another, one of the best things you can do for them is to be understanding of their emotional changes. Encourage them to understand why they may be acting the way they are and offer to assist them in getting professional help. It may also help to encourage the victim to take a deep breath and focus on controlling their emotions after an event that could trigger an unwelcome response—especially in public.
For more information on coping with a brain injury, contact a Louisville brain injury lawyer at Gray & White Law. Our experienced attorneys will take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and help you to understand your legal options—all during a complimentary consultation. Contact us toll-free at 888-450-4456 or fill out our online contact form today. You will be glad you did