A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is harm to the brain caused by a violent external force. TBIs can occur when someone:
Strikes their head on an object or gets hit by an object
Experiences a sudden, violent jolt to the head or body
Gets struck by an object that penetrates their skull
A moderate or severe TBI, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can affect how a person:
Thinks, learns, and recalls information
Senses the world around them through vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell
Communicates and interacts with others
Controls their mood, emotions, and behavior
Many people who experience a TBI can recover from their injuries and lead healthy, productive lives. Others may experience long-term disabilities that drastically reduce their quality of life and require costly, ongoing medical care.