WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A BRAIN INJURY:

Go to a walk in clinic

Make an appointment with your doctor or nurse practitioner

Go to the emergency room if symptoms are severe

confusion

KNOW THE SIGNS &
SYMPTOMS OF TBI

  • Neck pain

  • Loss of consciousness, in and out of consciousness

  • Confusion or irritability

  • Severe or worsening headache

  • Repeated vomiting

  • Unusual changes in behaviour

  • Seizures or convulsions

  • Double or blurry vision

  • Weakness/tingling/burning in limbs

tingling-limbs

SOMEONE WITH A TBI
MAY APPEAR TO BE:

  • Confused

  • Easily distracted

  • Uncooperative

  • Off-balance

  • Disorientated

Brain injuries are often not known or undetected and undiagnosed.

Know the signs of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), is the result of a hit or other impact to the neck, face, head or body that injures the brain and affects the way it works. In domestic or intimate partner violence, a TBI might be the result of a physical blow to the head, forceful and repeated shaking or the result of strangulation. Strangulation is a form of TBI that is very dangerous and greatly increases the risk of death even without visible signs of injury.1

What does this mean for a victim? It can mean that a person has loss of memory, trouble learning new things, a hard time focusing, or an inability to make decisions that affect everyday life (cognitive impairment). These difficulties can make it harder from them to leave a violent situation.

Cognitive impairment can range from mild to severe. Mild impairment, may lead to changes in the way their brain works, but victims may still be able to do everyday tasks. Those with severe impairment may not be able to continue doing everyday tasks, understand the meaning of things, talk or write, all of which can result in the loss of independence.

If you know someone, a family member or friend, who you suspect is living in an unhealthy, violent relationship, you can help by identifying signs of a brain injury and taking them to see a medical professional. Symptoms may happen right away or with some brain injuries it may take weeks for them to appear.

Ask them if they have been hit or strangled. Ask them if they blacked out or fainted from being strangled. Ask them if they have loss of memory or problems concentrating. Do they have difficultly performing everyday activities, experience anxiety, dizziness, vision problems or headaches. Ask them if they have ever hit their head or lost consciousness. Ask what changed for them since that time. Then help them get the care they need.

In the worst case scenario a severe brain trauma, whether from head injury or strangulation, can lead to death. Bruises can be concealed and eventually heal but the effects of intimate partner violence can be long lasting.

brain-injury

More than

90%2
of women who suffer severe physical intimate partner violence may also experience a traumatic brain injury.

Strangulation

is one of the most dangerous forms of IPV, increasing the risk of death in following assaults by
748%3

RESOURCES

• For emergencies call 911
• Telehealth 1-866-797-0000

Brain Injury Association of North Bay and Area

222 Main Street East,
North Bay, ON P1B 1B1
Phone: 705-478-8664
www.bianba.ca

Ontario Brain Injury Association

Helpline: 1-800- 263-5404
Mon-Fri 9:30am-4pm
obia.ca and abitoolkit.ca

REFERENCES: Abused and Brain Injured https://abitoolkit.ca ©2021 ABI Research Lab

1 Strangulation can cause brain injury, due to the brain being deprived of oxygen.

2 3 3N. Glass, K. Laughon, J. Campbell, C. R. Block, G. Hanson, P. W. Sharps, and E. Taliaferro, "Non-fatal Strangulation is an Important Risk Factor for Homicide of Women," J. Emerg. Med., vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 329-335, 2008.