Accident victims often struggle with the effects of a traumatic brain injury, but aphasia is a particularly difficult condition to overcome. Aphasia is an acquired disorder that prevents someone from processing language. While it has no effect on a person’s intelligence, it impairs their ability to communicate and engage with their family, friends, and coworkers.
Common Symptoms of Aphasia
No two brain injuries are alike, and aphasia affects everyone differently. Mild aphasia may cause intermittent comprehension problems, while advanced aphasia can result in a total inability to speak or understand spoken words.
Aphasia can cause significant communication difficulties, including:
- Inability to read or write
- Severely reduced speech (speaking in utterances of about four words)
- Limited vocabulary
- Ability to understand speech but not repeat it
- Ability to read but not write
- Inability to grasp the meaning of spoken words
- Speaking in unrelated sentences
- Difficulty using numbers
- Using incorrect or irrelevant words when speaking
- Inability to supply significant nouns and verbs (such as names and daily tasks) in speaking and writing
- Communicating with gestures
- Frequent expressions of frustration
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Treatment Is Key to Coping With Aphasia
Depending on the extent of the condition, aphasia can make it impossible for someone to do the job they had before the accident. People who can perform some level of work may suffer a reduced earning capacity, as they may only be able to work part-time or take longer to complete tasks.
There is no cure for aphasia, but patients may overcome the condition with:
- Speech therapy. An individual may need significant treatment with a speech therapist before engaging in activities involving words, writing, numbers, and presenting information to others.
- Time. Intensive treatment has helped aphasia patients recover and improve speech abilities, while imaging studies suggest that the brain can make new networks. Recovery is often slow, taking several months or even years to regain lost skills.
- Counseling. The inability to communicate can have a big impact on a person’s quality of life. Mental health counseling may be needed to help people who have withdrawn from friends and loved ones or who are suffering symptoms of depression.
If you were in an accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, we can help you collect payment for your economic damages as well as pain and suffering. Contact GriffithLaw today through our online form or give us a call at (615) 807-7900.
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