About Us

Substance Abuse

Agitation

Resource and
Service Coordination

Outcomes

Internet and TBI

Related Publications

Contacts

Site Map

Search

Substance Abuse and Brain Injuries

TBI Screening

Trauma
Behavior
Impact
PDF Version of TBI Screening

This utility provides a quick reference for community professionals who may not be experts in brain injury but want to identify persons in need of more comprehensive assessment. Assessment is important because TBI sometimes causes behavior changes or unusual responses that interfere with treatment. Presented are questions to be used as a screening instrument.

Trauma

Ask...
Have you ever:

• Been injured following a blow to your head?
  
• Been hospitalized or treated in an emergency room following an injury?
• Had any major surgeries? broken bones? illnesses? strokes? heart attack?
  
• Been unconscious following an accident or injury? If so, how long?
• Been injured in a fight?
• Been injured by a spouse or family member?

Listen for...
The overriding principle of this category is to determine if a trauma or injury to the brain has possibly occurred. A positive response would be identified by a blow to the head, a fall, etc., which resulted in loss of consciousness. Be sure to ask about visible scars or marks. Greater than momentary loss of consciousness is felt to be a significant injury, although multiple mild injuries such as fights can also have additive effects over time without significant loss of consciousness.

Return to top

Behavior

Ask...
Since the trauma:

• Do you get stuck on one thought and find you cannot switch to something else, even when you try?
  
• Is it harder to start new things?
  
• Do you do things impulsively?
• Do you say things you wish you had not or "put your foot in your mouth?"
  
• Do you notice changes with any of the following abilities or conditions following your injury?
  • Irritability
  • Problem solving
  • Impulsivity
  • Time management
  • Social skills
  • Memory loss
  • Attention/concentration
  • Sensitivity to bright
  • Judgment
  • Light or noise
  • Confusion
  • Walking or balance
  • Speech

Listen for...
With the identification of a possible trauma, this category helps to evaluate if the injury resulted in a change in behavior during the hours and days after the injury. Following trauma to the brain, the person may become confused, impulsive and forgetful. Such changes, even if short in duration, are a further indication that the injury has resulted in changes with cognitive function.

Return to top

Impact

Ask...
Since you were injured, have you:

• Had problems keeping a job or lost a job?
• Noticed changes in your relationships with your family (wife, husband, parents, friends)?
• Had your friends or family members point out changes to you?
• Been treated by a psychiatrist or psychologist?
• Ever taken medication for seizures?
• Been on probation or parole or awaiting charges?
• Noticed headaches, dizziness, vision problems, or fatigue?

Listen for...
Examining quality of life since the injury, this category looks at the long-term effects the injury has presented. Even following medical recovery, the patient/client may have noticed significant life changes. At times, these differences are not even attributed to the injury until properly identified. Role alterations with family members, difficulties getting or keeping a job, and emotional changes are often reported.

Return to top

Substance Abuse Education Series

User's Manual

Programmer Guide

Substance Abuse and Brain Injury Toolbox

HIV/AIDS and Brain Injury

Motivational Interviewing

TBI Screening

Abuse Screening

Stages of Change

Whatever It Takes

Community Teams

Order Form

Miscellaneous Articles

"Did I Mention Teeth?"

"Lessons from Little Red Riding Hood"

"What Do We Do With A Drunken Sailor?"

Suggestions for Substance Abuse Treatment Providers Working with
Persons Who Have Limitations in Cognitive Abilities

Relationship Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Abuse