The Misconceptions of TBI: ANSWERS

1.    Even after several weeks in a coma, when people wake up, most
       recognize and speak to others right away.   FALSE

 

2.    After a head injury, people can forget who they are and not recognize others but be perfect in every other way.   FALSE

 

3.    Sometimes a second blow to the head can help a person remember things that were forgotten after the first blow.   FALSE

 

4.    How quickly a person recovers from head injury depends mainly on how hard they work at recovering.   FALSE

 

5.    Complete recovery from a severe head injury is not possible, no matter how badly the person wants to recover.   TRUE

 

6.    People who have had one head injury are more likely to have a second

       one.   TRUE

 

7.    After a head injury it is usually harder to learn new things that it is to remember things from before the injury.   TRUE

8.    Whiplash injuries to the neck can cause brain damage even if there is no direct blow to the head.   TRUE

9.    A little brain damage does not matter since people only use a small portion of their brains anyway.   FALSE

 

10.   A head injury can cause brain damage if even if the person is not

        knocked out.   TRUE

11.   Emotional problems after head injury are usually not related to brain

        damage.   FALSE

 

12.   Most people with brain injury look and act disabled.   FALSE

 

13.   When people are knocked unconscious, most wake up shortly with no

        lasting effects.   FALSE

 

14.   People in a coma are usually not aware of what is happening around

        them.   TRUE

 

15.   People with amnesia for events before the injury usually have trouble learning new things too.   TRUE

16.  Once the recovering person feels “back to normal,” the recovery process
       is complete.   TRUE

 

17.   It is good advice to rest and remain inactive during recovery.   FALSE

 

18.   A concussion is harmless and never results in long-term problems or brain damage   FALSE.

 

19.   If a person wanted to, it would be easy to fake brain damage from a

        head injury.   FALSE

 

20.  The only sure way to tell if someone has suffered brain damage from a head injury is by an X-ray of the brain.   FALSE

 

21.  Brain damage from a head injury is less severe if a person is intoxicated at the time of injury than if they were sober at the time of injury.   FALSE

 

22.  Most people with severe head injuries are eventually able to return to their previous jobs.   FALSE

 

23.  Most people who get a head injury in a car accident, and then sue the other driver, are probably doing it for the money and are not hurt all that badly.   FALSE