Signs & Symptoms of TBI

Signs and symptoms of neurological impairment caused by TBI depend on which structures in the brain are damaged.

Common symptoms include:

• Anxiety, nervousness
• Behavioral changes:
  • difficulty controlling urges (disinhibition)
  • impulsiveness
  • inappropriate laughter
  • irritability
• Blurry or double vision (diplopia)
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
• Difficulty finding words or understanding the speech of others (aphasia)
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Incoordination of movements
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of balance; difficulty walking or sitting
• Loss of memory
• Muscle stiffness and/or spasms
• Seizures
• Sleep difficulties (more or less sleep than pre-injury)
• Slurred and/or slowed speech
• Tingling, numbness, pain, or other sensations
• Sense of spinning (vertigo )
• Weakness in one or more limbs, facial muscles, or on an entire side of the body

Traumatic Brain Injury Website