OCD Related Conditions What Are the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury? By Owen Kelly, PhD Owen Kelly, PhD Owen Kelly, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, professor, and author in Ontario, ON, who specializes in anxiety and mood disorders. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 01, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Huma Sheikh, MD Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Huma Sheikh, MD, is a board-certified neurologist, specializing in migraine and stroke, and affiliated with Mount Sinai of New York. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print damircudic / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Mild TBI Symptoms Moderate to Severe TBI Symptoms Changes Caused by TBI Causes OCD and TBI Frequently Asked Questions Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is injured or damaged by an outside force such as a blow to the head or a gunshot. TBIs can occur as a closed head injury in which the skull and brain remain intact, like what is seen among professional athletes such as football players, or as a penetrating head injury in which an object penetrates the skull and brain. Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, other accidents, and firearms. Such injuries can cause a wide variety of cognitive issues. In addition to cognitive problems, if you've experienced a brain injury, you may also develop symptoms consistent with one or more forms of mental illness including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Adults over the age of 65 are at a high risk of TBIs due to accidental falls. Statistically, men are more likely to get TBIs than women. TBI is often classified according to the severity of the injury—mild, moderate, or severe. Most Common Types of TBIs The most common type of traumatic brain injury is a concussion. Other common types of TBIs include stroke, infection, and broken blood vessels inside the brain.According to the Centers for Disease Control, TBIs were responsible for more than 64,000 deaths in the United States in 2020. The most common causes of TBIs are falls, firearm-related suicide, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults. Common symptoms of TBIs include a persistent headache, vomiting or nausea, lack of coordination, and increased confusion. Mild TBI Symptoms Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury vary depending on the type of injury, the severity of the injury, and the area of the brain that is affected. Some symptoms may appear immediately, while others may not become apparent for days or even weeks. Symptoms of a mild TBI can include: Bad taste in the mouthBehavior or mood changesBlurred visionChanges in sleep habitsConfusionDizzinessHeadacheLoss of consciousnessNausea or vomitingProblems with memory, attention, or thinkingSensitivity to light or sound Moderate to Severe TBI Symptoms A moderate or severe TB may lead to symptoms such as: An inability to wake up from sleepConvulsions or seizuresEnlargement of the pupils or loss of visionLoss of consciousnessNumbness in arms or legsSlurred speechVomiting and nauseaWorsening headache What Is CTE? Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head leading to repeated concussions. It is strongly associated with participation in contact sports such as American football and boxing. It is progressive and leads to symptoms including memory loss, mood changes, problems thinking, and parkinsonism. Changes Caused by Traumatic Brain Injury If you have experienced a TBI you may also notice a change in your cognitive functioning. After a TBI, your performance on everyday tasks requiring memory, language, and spatial or verbal ability may be negatively affected. This can be either temporarily or permanently. If the TBI affects motor centers within the brain, mobility may also be impaired, and you may need a mobility device like a wheelchair or help with day-to-day tasks. TBI can also affect your behavior, causing changes in your personality. It is possible, after a TBI, that a previously calm person may become impulsive or aggressive. Likewise, an outgoing individual may become shy and withdrawn. Phineas Gage: His Accident and Impact on Psychology Causes When you experience a traumatic head injury, your brain may undergo significant changes that can cause symptoms like confusion, headaches, and sensitivity to light and sound. With milder injuries, these changes will go away eventually. But with more severe TBIs, the injury can cause brain swelling, which can lead to further symptoms. A person may experience increased hostility, aggression, or inappropriate emotions (i.e., laughing during a sad moment). Inappropriate emotions may arise as a result of the part of the brain that controls "executive functions" in the brain, such as emotional regulation and impulse control, being affected by the TBI. In many cases, these symptoms resolve themselves in the months after a TBI is sustained, depending on the severity of the TBI. Other factors can also contribute to changes post-accident or injury. Environmental factors and stress that occur after a TBI can play a part in some of the emotional/behavioral changes, including anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, and OCD. Can Bipolar Disorder Cause Brain Damage? OCD and Traumatic Brain Injury In addition to changes in cognitive function, behavior, and mobility, TBI can trigger symptoms of OCD including obsessions and compulsions. OCD following a TBI usually occurs soon, if not immediately, after the event has taken place. However, there have been reports of TBI-induced OCD being diagnosed months after the initial injury. In each case, localized brain damage may or may not be present when viewing a brain scan. Research has indicated that OCD following a TBI is usually accompanied by symptoms of major depression. Whether this depression is a result of the TBI, the psychosocial stress caused by the injury, the onset of OCD, or a combination of these factors is unclear. Treating TBI-Related OCD If you developed OCD after a traumatic brain injury, your doctor may recommend selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac (fluoxetine) or a tricyclic antidepressant such as Anafranil (clomipramine). Psychotherapy for OCD following a TBI may also be helpful. However, since cognitive impairment is common among those with TBI, cognitive-based therapies may not be the best option for everyone and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you can, choose a supportive therapy that assists you and helps you cope with both the practical and emotional challenges associated with TBI and OCD. The Best Online Therapy Programs We've tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain. Frequently Asked Questions Can you reverse the damage of traumatic brain injury? Damage to the brain cannot be reversed. However, in some cases, people can recover some of the functions that are lost. The amount of recovery possible often depends on the nature, location, and severity of the injury. What are TBI symptoms like years later? The long-term effects of TBI depend on how severe the injury was and what areas of the brain were affected. Many of the effects are permanent and may lead to long-term impairments in hearing, vision, cognitive function, sleep problems, and other issues. Rehabilitation, support, and adaptive technologies may help people cope and recover some functions. Will a traumatic brain injury shorten your life? According to the CDC, a moderate to severe TBI reduces life expectancy. Research has found that among people who had moderate to severe TBIs, 22% died within five years. After surviving a moderate to severe TBI, life expectancy is reduced by nine years. People with a TBI also have a higher risk of dying of other causes including seizures, drug poisoning, infections, and pneumonia. 10 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Library of Medicine. Traumatic brain injury. Cleveland Clinic. Traumatic brain injury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get the facts about TBI. National Institute of Health. What are common symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI)? Alzheimer's Association. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Wood RLl, Worthington A. Neurobehavioral abnormalities associated with executive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury. Front Behav Neurosci. 2017;11:195. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00195 Grados MA. Obsessive-compulsive disorder after traumatic brain injury. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2003;15(4):350-8. doi:10.1080/09540260310001606737 John Hopkins Medicine. Traumatic brain injury. Bramlett HM, Dietrich WD. Long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury: Current status of potential mechanisms of injury and neurological outcomes. J Neurotrauma. 2015;32(23):1834-1848. doi:10.1089/neu.2014.3352 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury is a lifelong condition. By Owen Kelly, PhD Owen Kelly, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, professor, and author in Ontario, ON, who specializes in anxiety and mood disorders. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for OCD Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.