Traumatic Brain Injury - Veterans

Traumatic Brain Injury among veterans is real. The military, however, has yet to recognize the significance of head injuries inflicted on soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. (See Brain Injury News Article: Senators Support Cognitive Rehabilitation for Military.)

Of particular interest is a study lead by Dr. Charles Hoge, a colonel at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research; he's also the chief of psychiatry. Hoge's study concluded, "The key finding in our study is that the majority of symptoms we might expect to be due to concussion are actually due to PTSD and depression."

HOWEVER - During the study, the only symptom attributed to brain injury was having a headache. (You may wish to read Symptoms of Brain Injury which is a guide written by Dr. Glen Johnson, a neuropsychologist.)

During Dr. Hoge's study of 2,500 soldiers, he did not ask about other symptoms of brain injury, nor were the soldiers asked about the number of head injuries they sustained in combat.

The study did show that 1 out of 6 soldiers returning from Iraq had suffered a concussion. Because we have lived with brain injury since 1990, we can tell you that headaches are certainly one result. So are problems with short term memory, problems getting organized, problems staying focused on a particular issue, emotional problems, mood swings and more.

Below are links to other Veteran's Information Sites to help you find military resources available to you, but we strongly suggest you also take advantage of civilian resources as well.

Veteran Resources

Veteran Service Centers

Polytrauma Centers

Fisher House Locations

American Veterans with Brain Injuries

Brain Injury Guide

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