It was the shouts from the sidelines that alerted you, “Well done, son, that was some tackle you put in there.” You ran over to find your boy had been flattened, trying to stop the linebacker of the opposing football team. He said he was fine, but weeks later, you are still not so sure.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) does not always reveal its full effects at the time. You probably know that you need to watch out for a concussion after a knock, but there are a host of other symptoms that you or your child may not notice for weeks, months or even years afterward.
A recent psychological study into the effects of TBIs on children highlighted some of the repercussions. 30%-50% of the children studied suffered from high levels of fatigue seven years after their accident. Here are some of the other common effects:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depression
- High levels of anxiety
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
The researchers did offer some hope: A new form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, including the use of blue light therapy, was found to help many of the effects. However, any treatment takes time and money.
If your child has suffered a traumatic brain injury, whether, on the sports field or elsewhere, it could affect their quality of life, as well as their prospects. Taking early legal assistance can allow you to prepare for any long-term effects: While the initial medical bills may be small, it may cost you a lot more in the long term.
