Even after surviving a moderate or severe TBI and receiving inpatient rehabilitation services, a persons life expectancy is 9 years shorter. TBI increases the risk of dying from several causes. Compared to people without TBI, people with TBI are more likely to die from: 57% are moderately or severely disabled.

Do people with TBI die early?

Survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are three times more likely to die prematurely than the general population, often from suicide or fatal injuries, finds an Oxford University-led study.

How do TBI patients die?

Deaths from head injuries account for 34 percent of all traumatic deaths. Beginning at age 30, the mortality risk after head injury begins to increase. The leading causes of TBI-related deaths are due to motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and falls.

Is TBI a disability?

The Social Security listing of impairments includes traumatic brain injury as a disabling impairment. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acute injury suffered by the brain and can be caused by various events, the most common causes being falls, car accidents, and firearms.

What is considered severe TBI?

Severe brain injury is usually defined as being a condition where the patient has been in an unconscious state for 6 hours or more, or a post-traumatic amnesia of 24 hours or more. These patients are likely to be hospitalised and receive rehabilitation once the acute phase has passed.

What are the emotional effects of a TBI?

Feelings of sadness, frustration and loss are common after brain injury. These feelings often appear during the later stages of recovery, after the individual has become more aware of the long-term situation. If these feelings become overwhelming or interfere with recovery, the person may be suffering from depression.

How long does it take to recover from a severe TBI?

Recovering from a severe TBI can take a long time. Some people regain consciousness within a few days or weeks and recover quickly. Others progress more slowly and may remain in a state of impaired consciousness for months or years.

How long does fatigue last after TBI?

A majority of patients recover within one to three months following mild TBI [2, 3]. Fatigue is one of the most important long-lasting symptoms following TBI, and is most severe immediately after head injury.