A TBI patient is someone who has experienced a traumatic brain injury, which is caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, or from an object that pierces the skull. A TBI can range from mild to severe, and the severity of the injury is based on how much effect there is on brain functioning. Symptoms of a TBI can include headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and more severe symptoms such as seizures, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness.

Immediate treatment for someone who has suffered a severe TBI focuses on preventing death, stabilizing the persons vital organ functions, ensuring proper oxygen delivery and breathing, controlling blood pressure, and preventing further brain damage. After the acute care period of in-hospital treatment, people with severe TBI are often transferred to a rehabilitation center where a multidisciplinary team of health care providers help with recovery. The rehabilitation team includes neurologists, nurses, psychologists, nutritionists, as well as physical, occupational, vocational, speech, and respiratory therapists.

TBI is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States, and it can have a significant interaction with the occurrence, manifestation, and recovery from behavioral health disorders. Treatment should accommodate neurobehavioral deficits due to TBI, and resources are available to help patients with TBI and their families.