A traumatic brain injury can happen to anyone — a single car crash, a bad fall, or a blow to the head — and yet most people have limited knowledge of how widespread and life-altering TBIs really are. Jennifer Cox, a therapist with Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, joined FLX Morning on March 5 to break down what TBIs are, who’s most at risk, and why so many cases go unrecognized.
According to Cox, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury every nine seconds, and there are approximately 190 TBI-related deaths every day based on 2021 estimates. A TBI occurs when an external force — such as a hit or a fall — disrupts the brain’s ability to function. Effects vary widely depending on where the injury is located and its severity, but can include problems with cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, maintaining relationships, and holding a job.
Cox highlighted several groups who are particularly vulnerable and often underdiagnosed. Women in domestic violence situations face heightened risk — those seeking medical care for injuries to the head, neck, or face are seven and a half times more likely to be domestic violence survivors than women seeking care for other injuries. Older adults are also frequently missed, Cox said, because medical attention after a fall tends to focus on more visible injuries like broken hips rather than potential brain trauma. People on blood thinners are especially at risk.
One of the more troubling aspects of TBIs, Cox explained, is that they can be difficult to prove. Some insurance companies won’t acknowledge a TBI diagnosis without a before-and-after brain scan — something most people simply don’t have. That gap can leave survivors without a diagnosis, struggling to understand why they feel like they’ve lost control or have become unreliable, and often blaming themselves for symptoms that are the direct result of a physical injury.
Therapy plays a key role in recovery, Cox said — not just for TBI survivors, but for their caregivers as well. Family members who take on caregiving responsibilities face real stress and burnout, and having a non-judgmental space to process that is important. Treatment options can include physical, occupational, and recreational therapy, as well as group therapy to reduce isolation.
For more information, Cox pointed listeners to the Brain Injury Association of America at biausa.org. Those interested in counseling services locally can visit Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes at fcsfl.org, where services include in-office therapy, school-based youth therapy, and advocacy support for domestic violence survivors. A care coordinator will help connect individuals with the right resources based on their situation.