About Acquired Brain Injury

An Acquired Brain Injury Can Happen to
Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime.

An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a disruption in brain function that occurs after birth. It isn’t hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.

A Traumatic Brain Injury:
An injury to the brain caused by an external source such as...

a motor vehicle collision
a fall
a sports-related injury
an assault

A Non-Traumatic Brain Injury:
An internal injury to the brain which can be the result of...

a stroke, aneurysm, brain bleed
brain tumour, infection
substance use, ingesting other toxins
oxygen deprivation (e.g. near-drowning or overdose)

Over 1.5 million Canadians live with Brain Injury.
You are not alone.

The Impact of an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Every brain injury is unique. Each person sustaining a brain injury may be affected differently depending on their age, the location of the injury, its severity, and any history of previous brain injuries. The impact of ABI is also felt by the family/caregivers and they must also adjust to the changes and challenges of post-injury life.

Brain injury can cause a wide range of changes which may include:

Cognitive

More Time Needed To Process Information
Difficulty Completing Daily Tasks
Difficulty Communicating
Difficulty With Memory, Reasoning
Difficulty Concentrating
Impulsivity

Physical

Headaches
Sensitivity To Light/Sound
Nausea/Vomiting
Loss Of Coordination Or Balance
Vision Impairment
Chronic Pain
Fatigue
Dizziness/ Vertigo
Seizures

Emotional

Personality Changes
Irritability/ Anger
Mood Swings
Social Inappropriateness
Denial
Sadness, Anxiety, Depression
Showing Little Emotion
Loss Of Sense Of Self

Behavioural

Impulsivity
Engaging In Risky Behaviour
Social Inappropriateness
Difficulty With Relationships
Changes In Sleep Pattern
Social Isolation
Changes In Personality

Education Resources

General

braininjurycanada.ca – education, awareness, and advocacy

brainline.org – preventing, treating, and living with traumatic brain injury

brainstreams.ca – brain injury information and resources in B.C.

https://wearehfc.org/brain-health-habits/ – 5 Brain Health Habits

Concussion

parachute.ca -injury prevention

cattonline.com -concussion awareness training tool

Intimate Partner Violence

abitoolkit.ca -understanding the intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury

soarproject.ca -supporting survivors or brain injury and abuse through research