Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have lasting symptoms that affect how you think, feel, and behave. At Ivan Walks and Associates in Silver Spring, Maryland, Ivan C.A. Walks, MD, and the multidisciplinary team perform assessments and disability evaluations for people with TBI. They work with all individuals but specialize in the mental well-being of military veterans. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about evaluations for a traumatic brain injury.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) includes any injury that involves your head and damages your brain. You may develop a TBI from a blow to the head or when something pierces through the skull. 

TBIs may happen from a bad fall or during a sports injury. People in the military may develop a TBI from an explosion or blast that rocks the head or shrapnel that damages the brain. 

TBIs vary in severity from mild to severe. Any moderate to severe TBI can lead to ongoing psychological and physical symptoms that affect daily function.

Any TBI requires immediate medical attention, even a mild head injury like a concussion. Without proper treatment and healing, a mild TBI may worsen and cause permanent brain damage.

What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?

Symptoms of a TBI vary and depend on the severity of the injury. Some of the symptoms you may have with a TBI include:

• Headaches
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty remembering the injury
• Fatigue
• Mood changes
• Sleep changes
• Ringing in the ears
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Loss of coordination

For a mild brain injury, these symptoms may not appear right away. If you or someone you love develops these symptoms following any type of blow to the head, they need to seek medical care for an evaluation. 

When should I schedule an evaluation for a traumatic brain injury?

Ivan Walks and Associates is a behavioral health clinic that specializes in diagnosing and treating psychological and behavioral changes that occur from a TBI. 

You should schedule an evaluation with the team if you or someone you love is having a hard time with self-control or experiencing mood changes following a TBI. The team recommends coming in for an evaluation even if the injury occurred a long time ago.

The team reviews your symptoms, medical history, and completes a thorough assessment and evaluation. 

You should also schedule a TBI evaluation at Ivan Walks and Associates if you need a disability evaluation for medical or financial benefits. 

What happens after a traumatic brain injury evaluation?

The team at Ivan Walks and Associates reviews the results of your TBI evaluation with you and your caregivers and provides recommendations for treatment and follow-up care.

Ivan Walks and Associates also stays on top of the latest research and treatments for TBI and offers medical training and speaking events for mental health professionals.

Find out more about evaluations and treatments for a traumatic brain injury by calling Ivan Walks and Associates or scheduling an appointment online today.