What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma — like a fall, car accident, sports injury, or blow to the head — causes damage to the brain. TBIs can range from mild (such as a concussion) to severe, and the effects vary depending on the part of the brain injured, the severity of the injury, and the person’s age and health.

A TBI can affect many areas, including:

• Memory and concentration
   
• Speaking and understanding language
   
• Reading and writing
   
• Problem-solving and reasoning
   
• Emotional regulation and social interaction
   
• Swallowing and motor speech (in some cases)