Emotional Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury

Emotional Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain injury and emotions


Difficulty controlling emotions or “mood swings”


What causes this problem?


What can be done about it?


What family members and others can do:

  • Provide feedback gently and supportively after the person gains control.
  • Gently redirect attention to a different topic or activity.




What causes anxiety after TBI?


What can be done about anxiety?






What causes depression?


What can be done about depression?


Temper outbursts and irritability


What causes this problem?


  • Feeling isolated, depressed or misunderstood.
  • Tiring easily.
  • Pain.

What can be done about temper problems?

  • Certain medications can be prescribed to help control temper outbursts.





  • Would psychological counseling be helpful?
  • Would an evaluation by a psychiatrist be helpful?
  • Are there medications that can help?

More about medications



Peer and other support



Recommended reading





Emotional Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury. (2010).

Comments (111)


My 8 yr old son fell backwards and hit his head on the ice playing hockey and he felt nauseous and dizzy for a few days after. He was also waking up numerous times in the the night for many nights freaking out, feeling extreme anger and agitation but not understanding why. I appreciate reading people's stories here and can see that this is part of the concussion issue. It is sad how so many of you are suffering. :( I pray for healing for all of you!!...

My son (age 9) just had shunt put in for nph and its his 4th brain surgery. He has a rare brain cyst, cluster headaches and now hydrocephalus. His second he suffered a stroke that affected the emotion area of his brain. He cries, can't control anger, and can not deal with not controlling situations. I don't know what to do. We have four kids and it's hard. We try to be there, love him through it, and pray God gives him peace with it. I'm sorry you suffer so much and we will pray for you!

I recently had a large menangioma removed from my frontal lobe. Literally, 3 weeks ago. I'm still in the healing phase with the scabbing and glue from the incision. Within the last week, I feel like an emotional train wreck. Ups and downs. Anger. Crying. It's like it's never-ending. I feel like I'm losing my mind and it scares the crap out of me even more. Please tell me that there is some sunshine at the end of my storm. ðŸ˜¢

Everything you are feeling is 100% normal for what you have been through!!! My son in law had a grade 5 brain aneurysm with 0 chance of surviving Without all the gruesome terrifying months of progress and setbacks he has recovered.

It took 6 weeks in a coma, many setbacks, 3 hospitals and an enormous amount of fear versus hope, inner strength and the knowledge that somehow he would be s functional human being again!

He is home he is walking he is speaking his eyes were an enormous issue with dizziness and double vision His passion is baseball and even though he cannot YET get in a car and drive and is somewhat dependent at time he wakes up everyday and workouts rides his stationary bike , walks on treadmill and goes to as many games his sons play There is so much more he can walk with a cane was wheelchair bound ... You can do this you can and will get stronger and beat the odds You are entitled to your moments but try and get pass them Push yourself when you can and get plenty of rest!!!! Do not give up!!! You are still in the early stages and are probably still in shock and depression Be kind to yourself take your time be brave You can and will heal!!!!!! Good luck to you!!!!! Don’t give up!!!!!!

I suffered from an A.B.I. at the age of 19. The major issues that I suffered seem to have subsided but many of the deeper and invisible issues have remained. For instance tension in head and jaw, losing my temper, controlling my emotions and a feeling of inadequacy. I have carried on to have a good life. I have two beautiful boys and a partner who puts up with all my quirks. But I can't get over feeling like a failure. I have no idea what can help in the future, and maybe nothing will. I just hope that I can learn to relax and not get so upset or cry at the drop of a hat.

My Common Law BF had a TBI at the age of 15, he was in a head-on collision when he suffered his TBI, he was in a coma for about a week and almost died from severe brain swelling, his now 46 and He reacts severely to small changes, he rarely shows empathy and goes into rages regularly, he says he cant control himself, he recovers from a rage within 5 minutes sometimes, other times it can last up to 3 days, his has excessive moodiness and goes into an immidiate rage right out of a midday nap or after sleep, its weird we've been together 7 years and never seen him act normally after waking up from a midday nap he goes right into war mode, there were times his opened his eyes at 3am and threw me on the floor and told me to get the f out of his house, called me a million names, rolled over and went back to sleep. Ive since learned not to be home when his napping, there are other issues too, like when he wants something he has to have it that same minute, much like a child his needs must be met immidiately, he has zero patience for anything, after living with him a while I notice how abnormally he acts to everyday little mishabs of lifes curve balls, in his mind things have to go exactly the way he thinks they should go, because he has terrible issues with having to solve his own problems without getting angry about the smallest annoying things.....honestly the stuff he complains about is not a big deal , to him its a major issue that has to be fixed immediately, and not fixed by him but by someone else which is usually me, he has connection issues, intimacy issues, and acts very much like a personality disordered Narcissist, and after his accident he started drinking and remained an alcoholic until the age of 42, i think drugs and alcohol slowed is brains ability to heal properly, he also says he had to relearn how to talk and do many other things on his own after his accident, and theres a large portion of his life that has been erased during that time in his life, I really think 31 years later his personal life was severly impacted because his unstable emotional state, he has been in about 15 relationships and has had children with other women, nobody could seem to put up with his shit, I've had him arrested several times, had him forced into all sorts of programming and rehab, his life suffers because of the impact of his TBI, our relationship has suffered, but thats the only way I could help him by pointing out all his problems and forcing him to take accoubtibility and teach him to take responsibility for the way he is, we have many ups and downs and Ive given him 2 sons, and they are teaching him new ways of dealing with life, teaching him patience and love, he didnt get the opportunity to raise his older children and Ive givin him another chance, since then he has a better handle on himself since quitting alcohol almost 4 years ago, and him going to rehab and we've seen some improvement with him, his done programming to help teach him how to react differently, but I think he needs to get a follow up on his brain injury, since the technology from 30 years ago has come a long way......he does much better now that his focusing on work , but even his job suffers if he has a rage fit, he wont go to work or call his boss, I only see him as a mentally Emotionally Disabled person who needs his family, because his a complete mess when were hone and his left alone .... I only can encourage him to get testing done on his brain, and see where he is 31 years later, with memory, emotional and physical aspects of his brain, Im really interested, I just hope he agrees to see a doctor for his brain soon, Good luck to you and your familys dealing with TBI, wish nothing but the best for all you sufferers ðŸ˜Š

We were told the same thing about back to work in 6 weeks but my husband had double vision following surgery and now all of the above. He went back to work too soon and is now out of work again. Ugh.

I am a brain tumor survivor, now disabled. Seek neuropsychological testing. You may have to go on disability.

Nice to find an explanation to my mood changes. Had a cavernous hemangioma removed (right frontal lobe). 3 weeks later infection in the head "bone flap removal" 7 months later cranial plate installed. All this to stop grand mal seizures, they came back. Have not done well since. Problem keeping a job, impulsive behavior, depression. Doctor said no problem quick surgery, back to work 6 weeks.

Oh man, where do I start, my brain injuries are many, a series of sports related concussions over many years, a few black out falls. And then the discovery of a brain tumor, non cancerous, yet in a very critical area of the brain. Surgery followed and a week after I suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, leading to a week of comatose.

I would spend the next 6-8 weeks getting inpatient treatment and a lot of out patient treatment would follow. While all this sounds scary, and it was, I was in no way prepared for life following these events, after taking a fall at home (black out), i had hit my head on a cast iron bathtub, this was only 3-4 months after all the surgery stuff. It's like every possible symptom of PTSD and PCS were taking over my life, and I was not aware of what any of those things were until seeing a series of specialists.

It took a few years until I could comfortably function at work( I am a municiple arborist.) Yet even after all of these years since, I seem to be stuck with many behavioural challenges, some of which have caused problems with my supervisors and co-workers. I so wish not to be this difficult, as I was never that person before. So I am in ongoing therapy, with both medicine and a psychiatrist. 

While I love quiet time, with the dogs and my wife, the challenges of work are at times quite overwhelming.

I have a daughter that had a brain injury due to being in a abusive relationship she's now in a rehabilitation center and wants to come home but can't because she not doing the therapy and is refusing to and throwing tantrums what do I do?

Got a TBI from a car accident in Sept 97. The accident was caused by a female passenger who pulled the steering wheel b/c we were having a fight. Spent 5 weeks in the hospital and months in outpatient care. Went back to work after 6 months and things appeared to be getting better. That was short lived and my mental problems returned with a vengeance.

I feel I am starting to improve I'm sitting up more and longer there was a time I couldn't do that!

I am 41 yrs old & 8 years post severe TBI and I cannot control my anger or sadness, I'm all over the place! Up and down, up and down.....I feel like but a shell of my former self. Mood stabilizers do not help when you have a lot of damage and millions of brain cells killed off. I'm just supposed to sit here until I rot I suppose. Too chicken s$&t to off myself.....

Do most tbi patients lose their temper with the spouse more than anyone else? Most people don't see the bad side of this person?

I know with my ex gf they did she would act like the sweetest nicest person in the world around strangers but with me, she was very abusive verbally and constantly provoke me till I would start swearing back at her. She would also constantly move out then move back in. She would also play the victim and tell ppl she was being abused when it was her who was the abuser. I truly was so in love with her. No matter what I did to help her she portrayed me as the bad person.

Not just wives. It it seems that they take most of their frustrations out on those closest to them. I am a mother who's son has TBI and he is so mean to me.

My 25 yr. old son suffered a Severe TBI nearly 9 months ago and it has been nothing short of pure HELL!!! Not a day goes by that I feel at peace. I know he must feel this way also. I never know what may "set him off" or cause him to say horrible things to me. I can only temporarily walk away. He now has no friends left, close siblings or co-workers as he once did. He attempted to work, but was overwhelmed by decision making. He will probably have to spend the rest of my life and most of his with me as I am his caregiver. My mother helps, but is at her wits end. I mourn the loss of my old son, and dislike the new son I've been left to manage. I feel like a victim of abuse most days and feel as though I'm stuck in Groundhog Day. I love my son, but hate what this injury has done to him and our lives. I continue to try and keep the peace. I do my best to help him but most days feel like a failure. I feel my own emotional & physical health slipping. I hope he can eventually regain some type of life again. I'm at a loss now as he is " non- compliant" at every turn, yet demands me to comply to his needs at a moments notice.
Give me hope, give me strength to move on.

I'm a 10yr tbi survivor. i also have had those effects, mostly what made me act that way was the meds they put me on!!! I'm not trying to be an idiot here ,please don't take it that way but i tried cannabis and my angry self just went away. i still have days that I'm angry but NO name calling, kicking walls, punching doors and wall or any violence and very few migraines. it has seriously changed my life. good luck.

My brother has a narcsstic personality before the TBI and now a drinking problem. I have prayed for the decoder ring that will help me try and help him. He also suffers from being paranoid again before the TBI. He thinks he is the earth and as his sister I am the sun. Every time I have to deal with him I pray. I try all the expertise I have heard and read but each time I throw myself on a land mine. We talk at each other because he never is wrong. He lost his long term care benefits because he would not listen to the case manger. He is an emotional vampire when he walks into a space it is like the air is sucked out of the room. He is at first very charming but then when he has sucked people dry that dump him and disappear. My mom babied him his whole life and now he is a 54 year old man baby. Sometimes I am afraid of him. Mom was OD at the hospital and died. sorry I don't know why I am writing all this. Today I realize it is ground hogs day Same day over and over. He could careless about me or helping him. He says thank you and all the right things but his words are hollow without any emotion. Wow, I hold a lot inside. I guess today I found this site and I felt your simple word, mean. But behind it I get it. God Bless and tomorrow maybe I will get that decorder ring.

Thank you, I was at my wits end today. It is good to know I am not alone! I just asked God today to help me understand my grandson. TBI from car accident, 7 years ago.

My dear friend had a brain bleed, I feel like I have lost a friend, we can no longer discuss anything, he simply give me short replies mostly, things like; its ok, very interesting, or no answer at all.  He does not answer mail, or calls without causing me to feel like he is not really there and seems to be not listening to anything I say.  It is going on 10 months since his brain surgery, I am concerned if he will stay this way.  Lost a dear friend and just cannot deal with the changes in his personality and behavior.  Sad in LA

I suffered a TBI back on the 10/6/2011 so just over 4yrs ago I was in a near fatal single vehicle car accident. I still suffer problems with my eyes the later it becomes in the night (blurry vision) I need to close 1 eye so I can see straight, I also have major mood swings happy 1minute then cranky the next.. I don't know what I should do, will this correct itself or do I need to take meds to help calm myself?? Please help it's killing..

In 2009 I was in 3 separate car accidents, all resulting in my head spidering the windshields. The last one was by far the worst. I do not remember what caused me to black out but all I remember was having no sight and feeling as if I was on a bucking bull as I crashed off of a bridge. No one was on the road and I'm not sure how long I was unconscious before I climbed out the window into the shallow part of the river. I felt like a zombie walking down the road. Officers finally showed up, no one would stop for me but at least they called the cops to help. I THOUGHT I had come out of it with only a fractured wrist and being the hard *ss "shake it off" type, I did not go to the hospital. EVERYTHING CHANGED AFTER THAT POINT. Before I was CONFIDENT, CARE FREE, ON TOP OF THE WORLD HAPPY. THINGS CAME SO EASILY, I was quick witted and never ran out of things to say. After the wreck, I became someone I don't recognize.. shy, nervous, avoidant, overly self conscious, awkward, sexually avoidant, tongue tied. I had to try too hard to be" myself" which does not work. I became depressed and anxious and MISERABLE. It's been right at 6 years since it happened and not much has changed. I've learned to "play my role", I guess you could say because I don't know wth else to call feeling as if I've been dehumanized, a little better but, especially around family who remembered the old me, it feels like part of me is brain dead and they don't understand why. My memory is shot. My long term memory is terrible. My childhood/teenage memories are few and far in between.. I remember people and places for the most part but I don't actually have many MEMORIES at all.. its all a blur. I am a rollercoaster of emotions all the time. I feel like it's mainly frustration.. maybe having both depression and anxiety, maybe not yet being able to accept the loss of myself, maybe it's from the damage to my brain, I don't know. All I know is I snap too easily, I cry too much, and my whole perspective is wrecked by it all. Not only have I dealt with what I feel like is the loss of myself, but I also have temporal lobe epilepsy like episodes. They come on as a deja vu like aura that will last 15-30 seconds but after I have no idea what the aura was about and I get a rising feeling in my gut and my body is just numb but unsettled feeling for a few minutes after. It used to be much less frequent but in the past year they've started happening a few times a week. Some aren't full on though, now that they're more constant, some are like teasers.. that sinking, familiar feeling will come on like a spurt then vanish almost like a warning. Those, just leave me in suspense more than anything. Other than that, I get terrible tension headaches. It's hell but I'm still here and I still manage. Coping is one hell of a task though.




11 yrs post tbi & my moods are still all over.











I don’t have the problem of medications not affecting me, but all medications now make me sleepy...like very sleepy. That did not used to happen pre-TBI.




My son has so many of the same symptoms your husband has. He has become so insensitive and insulting. He has always loved kids but it wasn't until he was 33 that he had a son with his GF. He idolizes his son who is going on two now but has a niece that he seems to single out and is downright mean to her. She's only seven and its killing her because she doesn't understand why this person she absolutely loves is treating her so badly. I cry a lot and pray that its only temporary. I so feel for you and others going through this.



I seem to have turned off any emotions



