Brain injury – sometimes called ‘acquired brain injury' – refers to damage to the brain that occurs after birth. The damage may be caused by a number of things:
- Accident or trauma
- Stroke
- Brain infection
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Diseases of the brain such as Parkinson’s
Given the diverse causes of brain injury, this condition can affect people in very different ways. Effects may be mild, or profound; they may involve physical, behavioural, sensory, cognitive or intellectual functions. Brain injury is often considered a ‘hidden disability’ because its effects can be difficult to recognise.
Treatment and management strategies are as diverse as the causes of acquired brain injury and recovery is equally difficult to predict.