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Why do some people have personality changes after a serious crash?

On Behalf of | Apr 22, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Nearly losing someone in a collision is serious, as are the injuries they suffered and the impact of those injuries on your family. It’s no surprise that you may feel like your life is out of control of that nothing is quite like it was before.

After a serious head trauma like your loved one suffered, there is a risk that they may have trouble coping. Depending on the injury and where the brain was impacted, there is a chance that they could develop changes in their personality.

Personality changes are some of the most difficult side effects of a brain injury to deal with, depending on how they affect the individual.

Why is a change in personality possible following a head injury?

After a head injury, there are a few things that may influence the victim’s behaviors. First, if they suffered an injury to the area of the brain that controls impulses, like the orbitofrontal cortex, then you may find that they are more impulsive or less empathetic than they were in the past. Depending on where the brain was injured, a person may become more aggressive, impulsive, depressed or irritable. If the language center of the brain is impacted, it’s even possible for some people to switch accents or to change the way they speak.

Personality changes can also occur as a result of trying to adapt to changes following the incident. For example, your loved one may try to do what they could before and fail, leading to depression or frustration. They may be dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and find it difficult to ride in a car or participate in the things they once loved to do. These issues can also lead to changes in how they act.

Usually, the person’s personality is still there, completely intact, but it’s masked by the effects of the brain injury. As the brain heals, it is possible that they could start acting more like their old self, though they may change as a result of everything that they’ve been through.

The behavior and personality changes that occur may be difficult to cope with, but over time, your family can adjust. There is medical support, psychological help and legal assistance available for you to help address the injury, its side effects and the cost of care.

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