Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can produce life-altering challenges that persist long after the initial trauma. Every TBI is unique, but many survivors face lasting physical, cognitive and emotional effects. While many people recover fully, others experience long-term complications that impact their daily lives, employment and overall well-being. In this post, we explore the long-term effects of TBI in adults - from mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions) to severe traumatic brain injuries.

Understanding traumatic brain injury and its severity

Traumatic brain injury is damage to the brain caused by an external force, such as a violent blow to the head or a jolt to the body​. It can also occur from an object penetrating the skull into brain tissue. TBIs range in severity:

• Mild TBI (concussion): typically involves a brief disruption of brain function, such as being dazed or losing consciousness for a few moments. Mild TBIs may affect brain cells temporarily​. Most people with mild injuries (concussions) recover fully within weeks. However, some individuals experience persistent post-concussive symptoms that last for months or longer​. This condition, often called post-concussion syndrome, can include prolonged headaches, dizziness and cognitive difficulties.
• Moderate to Severe TBI: involves more significant brain injury, often with extended unconsciousness (coma) or amnesia. Severe TBI frequently causes bruising, bleeding, torn brain tissue, or nerve fibre damage in the brain​. These injuries can result in long-term complications or even death​. Many survivors of severe TBI suffer issues with physical and mental function and require long-term rehabilitation.

Advances in emergency care now help more people survive severe head trauma, meaning more adults live with chronic effects of severe TBI. Every brain injury is different - factors like how the injury occurred, the age of the patient and even genetics can influence the outcome​. So while one person may recover fully, another might face lifelong challenges after a similar injury.

Physical and neurological effects of TBI

Long-term physical and neurological effects are common after TBIs, especially moderate to severe ones. These medical complications can significantly impact an individual’s daily life and independence. They include:

Seizures and post-traumatic epilepsy

One of the most serious long-term risks of a traumatic brain injury is the development of post-traumatic epilepsy. This condition can emerge months or even years after the initial head trauma, affecting an individual’s ability to work and maintain independence. The risk of epilepsy is particularly high for individuals with severe injuries such as a diffuse axonal injury (widespread damage to brain cell connections) or a skull fracture.

Chronic pain and headaches

Long-term headaches are among the most common complaints of TBI patients. Some experience persistent migraines or pressure headaches due to nerve damage, brain swelling or ongoing blood flow issues within the brain.

Dizziness and balance problems

Damage to the brain’s vestibular system can result in chronic dizziness, unsteadiness or vertigo. These symptoms are particularly prevalent in cases of moderate traumatic brain injury and can make daily tasks such as walking, driving or standing for long periods difficult.

Sleep disturbances and fatigue

Many individuals with brain trauma experience chronic fatigue, often due to disrupted sleep patterns. Sleep disorders such as insomnia or excessive daytime drowsiness are common, affecting concentration, mood and overall quality of life.

Hormonal imbalances

Damage to the pituitary gland or blood vessels in the brain can lead to hormonal deficiencies, affecting metabolism, mood and energy levels. These imbalances may go undiagnosed for years, further complicating the recovery process.

Spinal cord injury and acquired brain injury

Some individuals who experience severe traumatic brain injury also suffer from spinal cord injury, leading to mobility challenges. In cases where a TBI occurs alongside other forms of acquired brain injury, individuals may require lifelong medical support.

Post-concussive syndrome

When a combination of symptoms linger for an extended period after a concussion, doctors may diagnose persistent post-concussive syndrome​. This diagnosis indicates a mild TBI with long-term effects and can be a key factor in legal claims for seemingly “mild” injuries that nonetheless cause serious ongoing problems.

Cognitive and communication challenges

Cognitive impairments are a hallmark of long-term TBI effects. Survivors often struggle with mental tasks that were easy before. The ability to process information, remember things and communicate can be significantly affected. Common long-term cognitive effects include:

Memory loss and concentration difficulties

Many survivors of traumatic brain injury struggle with memory loss, difficulty focusing and slower cognitive processing. These symptoms can make tasks such as reading, problem-solving and decision-making far more challenging.

Executive function impairment

Injuries to the frontal lobe can impact executive functioning, affecting an individual’s ability to plan, organise or manage time effectively. This can make it difficult to return to work or manage finances independently.

Communication difficulties

Damage to the brain’s language centres can lead to speech and comprehension problems. Some individuals experience aphasia, making it difficult to find the right words or construct sentences, while others may struggle to understand complex speech.

A formerly high-performing adult may find themselves unable to handle the demands of their previous job or social life. Rehabilitation (such as cognitive therapy or speech therapy) often helps, but progress can be slow and partial. In terms of the compensation claims process, the costs of long-term cognitive rehabilitation and the need for assistive devices or strategies (like memory aids) should be considered as part of your compensation.

Emotional and behavioural changes

A brain injury can change someone’s personality or mood due to damage in areas that regulate emotion and behaviour. Common changes include:

Depression and anxiety

The injury’s direct effects on brain chemistry, combined with the trauma of the event and the challenges of recovery, can lead to clinical depression. This can include feelings of persistent sadness, hopelessness or extreme worry. Anxiety might manifest as panic attacks or constant fear of re-injury. These conditions often require long-term counselling and medication.

Irritability and mood swings

Many TBI patients report increased irritability, difficulty controlling emotions and mood swings. This can strain relationships at home and work, as family and colleagues struggle to adjust to a person’s shorter fuse.

Impulsivity and personality changes

Frontal lobe injuries can lead to disinhibition, resulting in impulsive or inappropriate behaviour. In some cases, survivors experience lack of empathy, leading to misunderstandings with loved ones. This lack of inhibition is a brain-based effect - the individual often isn’t willfully misbehaving but genuinely cannot regulate their impulses as before.

These emotional and behavioural changes can be as distressing as the physical injuries. A survivor may feel alienated by their own new behaviours, and not feel like themselves anymore​. Family members and spouses, meanwhile, often grieve the “person they knew” as they attempt to adapt to new dynamics.

Sensory and perceptual difficulties

A brain injury can alter how a person sees, hears, tastes and feels sensations. Some sensory and perceptual effects seen in TBI survivors include:

Vision problems

TBI patients often develop double vision, blurred vision or sensitivity to light. Some individuals experience partial blindness due to damage to the brain’s optical pathways.

Hearing and balance issues

Hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and difficulty processing sound are common post-TBI complications. Some individuals also experience vertigo or issues with spatial awareness.

Loss of taste and smell

A blow to the head can damage the brain regions responsible for smell and taste. Loss of smell (anosmia) or altered taste is a possible long-term effect​. This might seem minor, but it can affect appetite, safety and quality of life. Sometimes these senses return over time, but not always.

Touch and coordination

Some TBI survivors experience numbness, tingling or altered sensation in parts of the body if sensory nerve pathways in the brain were affected​. Hand-eye coordination can also be impaired​, making tasks like writing or sports difficult. In more severe cases, muscle tone and movement can be affected, leading to weakness or spasticity in limbs (similar to a stroke’s effects).

Long-term neurological risks

Surviving a TBI doesn’t always mean the end of medical concerns. Research has shown that a traumatic brain injury can elevate the risk of certain neurological disorders later in life:

Increased risk of dementia

Research suggests that individuals with a history of moderate or severe TBI have a higher likelihood of developing dementia later in life. The accumulation of dead brain tissue from repeated head injuries has also been linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition seen in athletes with repeated sports injuries.

Blood clots and stroke risk

TBI can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke, particularly if blood vessels were damaged in the initial injury.

How Switalskis can help you claim for a traumatic brain injury

Brain injuries often have complex and unpredictable outcomes. Their long-term effects can impact every aspect of your life. From physical health and brain function to your ability to work, maintain relationships and enjoy hobbies.

If you have suffered a TBI due to another party’s negligence, it’s critical that you not only get proper medical care, but also expert legal guidance. At Switalskis, we have extensive experience handling brain injury claims . We help clients secure compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation and loss of earnings. Our team understands the complexity of TBI cases and works closely with medical professionals to build strong claims that reflect the full impact of the injury.

Call us on 0800 138 0458 or send us a message via our contact form to discuss how we can help you claim the traumatic brain injury compensation you are entitled to.