What is TBI?

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by blunt force injury to the head and/or the concussive force of explosions which cause the brain to push against the skull. TBI results in a broad range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social challenges. Diagnosis can be difficult because there need be no obvious injury or penetration of the skull and the symptoms are diffuse and mimic those of PTSD.

Indeed, PTSD and mild to moderate TBI are often co-occurring because the veteran remembers the trauma which resulted in the injury. For example: witnessing an IED explosion which killed and injured friends and peers. Survivors may appear normal but their memory is diminished; they act irrationally, lose their temper, and have difficulty maintaining concentration, family relationships and employment.

Prevalence: Recent screening of returning troops show that 20% of infantry and 10% of other troops have at least mild brain injury.

What the CIAV is doing:
Project Victory and the Memorial Hermann TIRR Challenge Program have joined together to provide rehabilitative care for military service members injured in OIF/OEF. TIRR’s Project Victory, seeks to enable soldiers with a traumatic brain injury regain skills and functions that were lost through their injury.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is dedicated to educating the public about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, advocating on behalf of those who have served, and fostering a community for troops, veterans, and their families. The IAVA has a comprehensive issues library on their website.
Check out their TBI research, as a veteran or advocate here.