Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one form of acquired brain injury (ABI).

Acquired brain injury

The Australian National Policy on Services for People with Acquired Brain Injury defines ABI as:

“ an injury to the brain which results in deterioration in cognitive, physical, emotional or independent functioning...these impairments to cognitive abilities or physical functioning may be either temporary or permanent and cause partial or total disability or psychosocial maladjustment.” (Department of Human Services and Health, 1994)

There are a number of common causes of ABI::

• Traumatic brain injury - Traumatic brain injury occurs as the result of some external force being applied to the brain
• Stroke - Stroke usually occurs as the result of a haemorrhage or blockage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the various regions of the brain
• Hypoxia/anoxia - Hypoxia/anoxia refers to the reduced or complete stopping of the flow of oxygen to the brain leading to tissue damage, and can be caused by failed hangings, near drowning, or overdoses
• Infection - Bacterial or viral infections can lead to an inflammation of the brain covering (meningitis) or the brain tissue itself (encephalitis)
• Tumour - Tumours cause damage to the surrounding brain tissue and structures as they grow within the brain
• Toxins - Alcohol acts as a toxin and the long term misuse of alcohol can cause damage to brain tissue.
• Degenerative neurological diseases - Conditions including Huntingdon’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease are caused by abnormal changes to brain cells in particular regions of the brain

Traumatic brain injury

These self-study modules focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI) which is one type of acquired brain injury.

TBI is an acquired brain injury that is caused by external physical force resulting in open or closed head injuries that result in impairments. It does not include congenital or degenerative brain injuries or brain injuries caused by birth trauma.

Traumatic brain injury is different from intellectual disability and psychiatric illness. Intellectual disabilities are congenital disabilities a person is born with, whereas TBI is acquired at a later stage of life, prior to which the brain functioned normally.

Psychiatric illness is due to a patient's brain malfunctioning, possibly due to chemical imbalances. It is not caused by traumatic head injury, and is not the result of physical damage to the brain.