Brain Injury Australia describes brain injury as the multiple disabilities that can arise from damage to the brain after birth. That damage can lead to a decline in a person’s thinking, physical, emotional or independent functioning. The possible causes cover a lot of ground, from accidents, stroke and brain tumours to infection, poisoning, lack of oxygen and degenerative neurological disease. The organisation also notes that falls are now the leading cause of traumatic brain injury. What comes next is hard to predict. The Better Health Channel describes the long-term effects as different for every person, ranging from mild to profound.
Plenty of those effects don’t show. As Queensland Health points out, changes in thinking and behaviour are hard for other people to pick up on. Understanding where these changes come from, and where to find help, can make life after a brain injury a little easier to navigate. Some of what follows may sound familiar. If it does, your GP or treating team is a good first person to talk to.
Why a Brain Injury Can Change How a Person Thinks, Feels and Acts
Which symptoms appear depends on which parts of the brain were affected, according to the Better Health Channel. Queensland Health adds a few more variables to the mix: the type of injury, where it is and how extensive it is. A person’s difficulties can also shift over time. So two people with a similar diagnosis may have quite different experiences.
Healthdirect sorts the possible changes into three groups: physical symptoms like tiredness and disrupted sleep, changes in thinking and learning, and difficulty controlling behaviour or emotions. In real life, of course, these tend to blur together.
Take fatigue. The Better Health Channel says increased mental and physical tiredness is common after an acquired brain injury (ABI), while Synapse, Australia’s brain injury organisation, notes it can bring on problems such as poor concentration.
Recovery takes time. Healthdirect says the biggest gains usually happen in the first few months, though improvement can keep going for years. Some effects may stay long term. Because progress looks different for everyone, it helps to keep your GP or treating team in the loop as things change.
Changes in Mood and Emotional Wellbeing
Emotions can shift in several ways after a brain injury. Between them, Healthdirect, Queensland Health and Synapse list:
- feeling flat, low or depressed
- worry, anxiety or panic attacks
- stress
- irritability, a shorter fuse or feeling on edge
- mood swings
If any of these are affecting daily life, mention them to your GP or treating team. They’re worth raising, not something to push through alone.
Some of this comes straight from the injury. Some comes from everything that follows it. As the Better Health Channel notes, an ABI can ripple out into relationships, friendships, social circles, work and recreation. Queensland Health is clear that any change, mild or severe, takes a period of adjustment, both physically and emotionally.
That’s often where a psychologist comes in. They can help a person make sense of what’s changed, work through the adjustment and find strategies for handling stress and strong emotions. If that support is about building everyday skills and independence linked to a person’s disability, NDIS psychology may be funded for eligible participants. The NDIS frames these as therapy supports aimed at functional capacity: emotional regulation or problem-solving strategies, for example. Clinical treatment of a mental health condition is a different matter. That sits with the health system, and a GP can help work out which pathway fits, including options partly funded by Medicare.
Whichever route someone takes, psychological support works alongside medical care. It doesn’t replace it. The focus is on coping, adjusting and taking part in everyday life.
Memory and Thinking Changes in Everyday Life
Healthdirect’s list of thinking changes after an ABI includes trouble with memory, concentration and attention, planning and organisation, and keeping a conversation going. The Better Health Channel adds that many people slow down in how quickly they process information, plan and solve problems. Over the longer term, according to Queensland Health, most people with an ABI report changes in thinking (attention and memory, for instance) as well as in behaviour.
What does that look like day to day? Missed appointments. Losing the thread halfway through a task. Needing a moment longer to answer a question.
Simple tools can take some of the load off. A Metro North Health guide for people recovering from a mild brain injury suggests memory aids like a calendar, sticky notes, a mobile phone or alarms. Synapse recommends breaking goals into smaller steps and keeping a weekly timetable, which makes planning easier.
If memory or thinking changes are making things harder, ask your GP or treating team about an assessment. Health professionals may test memory, thinking and how someone manages everyday tasks. Those results, Healthdirect explains, help show what kind of problems a person is having and what support they need.
Behaviour Changes and Their Effect on Relationships
For many families, behaviour changes can be one of the harder parts of life after a brain injury to talk about. Queensland Health notes that many people experience changes in personality and behaviour after an ABI, and that these can cause worry and stress for family members and carers. Synapse lists effects such as impulsive behaviour, disinhibition (saying or doing things without the usual filter), irritability and reduced insight or awareness.
Because these changes are often hidden, they’re easy to misread. People who don’t understand the hidden side of brain injury may wrongly assume the person is being lazy or difficult, Queensland Health warns.
There is practical help. Queensland Health’s Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service has resources for families on understanding behaviour changes, insight and self-awareness, and positive ways to respond. If behaviour changes are causing strain at home, raise them with the person’s GP or treating team. They can help families find strategies that suit the person and their household.
Life After a Brain Injury for Families and Carers
An ABI doesn’t only change things for the person who has it. Healthdirect describes it as an adjustment for family and carers too. Carers may find themselves solely responsible for the household and finances, and they may feel overwhelmed, confused or shocked. The Better Health Channel also points to the emotional and practical challenges families can face, from interruptions to family life to changing roles.
Looking after yourself matters here. The Better Health Channel suggests making time for self-care and asking for help when you need it. Healthdirect recommends carer support groups and keeping in touch with family and friends. Carers can also book in with their own GP. As Healthdirect puts it, your doctor may be able to help you find the support you need.
Carer Gateway offers free in-person, phone and online support for unpaid carers, including counselling, coaching and peer support. For information and referral, there’s Brain Injury Australia and Synapse also offers information and support to people affected by brain injury and their families.
When to Speak With Your GP or Treating Team
Your GP or treating team is a good place to start. If you’re having symptoms of an ABI, Healthdirect’s advice is simple: see your doctor. Changes in mood, memory or behaviour are worth raising, particularly if they’re new, getting worse or making daily life harder. Things to mention might include:
- low mood, worry or anxiety that isn’t easing
- sleep problems or fatigue that aren’t improving
- memory or concentration changes that affect work, study or safety
- behaviour changes that are putting strain on relationships
Before the appointment, try keeping brief notes for a week or two. Jot down what happened, when, and what seemed to help or make it worse. Family members can add what they’ve noticed. Specific examples can give your GP a clearer picture. And because support needs can change over time, it’s worth checking in regularly rather than waiting until things feel difficult. You don’t need to wait for a scheduled review, either. If something feels off, book an appointment.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have about your health or a medical condition.
For more information:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Head injuries in Australia 2020–21
- Better Health Channel: Acquired brain injury
- Brain Injury Australia: About brain injury
- Carer Gateway: About Carer Gateway
- Healthdirect: Acquired brain injury (ABI)
- NDIS: Would we fund it? Psychology supports and mental health
- Queensland Health: What is ABI?
- Queensland Health (ABIOS): Resources for families
- Synapse: What is brain injury?
- Synapse: Managing fatigue
- Synapse: Memory problems and tips
- Synapse: Problems with organising
