I found this module very helpful as it clarified differences in symptoms experienced by individuals with PTSD vs TBI. Since I work with students with both of these diagnoses, I identified with some of the information covered including that depression is the most common psychiatric diagnosis after brain injury, with the rate of close to 50%. That brain injury can affect the ability to initiate or start an activity, so the person needs cues, prompts, and structure to get started. Further, cognitive fatigue is a hallmark of brain injury and Building rest periods into a daily routine helps to prevent cognitive fatigue and restore alertness. Emotional numbness and deadened feelings are a major symptom of PTSD, whereas when the areas of the brain that control emotions are damaged, the survivor of a TBI may have what is called “emotional liability,” meaning that emotions are unpredictable and swing from one extreme to the other.
I was surprised by the data showing that 23.3% of the population has experienced a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) with the largest percentage of concussions occurring in individuals 35 years of age and younger (NPR Health Poll, 2016). Not surprising was that Males are about 1.5 times as likely as females to sustain a TBI, and that data revealed that males in the age group of 14 to 25 years of age engage in proportionally higher risk behaviors than other demographic groups. Alcohol, drugs, and impaired driving are among some of the reasons that this group is at such risk for TBI.
I found this paragraph in the reading to be the most compelling to me as a teacher:
Individuals with PTSD and mild TBI are confronted with several challenges as students. They are facing several issues in their personal lives that involve their ability to function in society, fit within the family and associate with peers while trying to cope with symptoms of PTSD and/or TBI. Several of the symptoms impact their ability to function daily. For example, issues with balance, memory, organization, light and sound sensitivity, anxiety, depression, and social interaction can create learning challenges for students. They are to be commended for their willingness to attempt career education, but they are going to need understanding and support as they cope with their TBI and/or PTSD if they are going to be successful.
