Which of the following describes long-term behavioral impairments after TBI?

• A. Impulsivity, reduced inhibition, poor self-regulation, irritability, aggression, reduced insight, and difficulty adhering to social norms.
• B. Increased empathy
• C. Enhanced self-control
• D. No behavioral changes

Answer: (B)

Long-term behavioral changes after traumatic brain injury are driven by damage to frontal areas that regulate choices, impulses, and social behavior. This leads to disinhibition and impaired self-control, so individuals often become impulsive, irritable, or aggressive, have difficulty sticking to social norms, and show reduced insight into their behavior. Increased empathy is not a typical outcome of TBI; empathy can be affected (often reduced) rather than heightened. Similarly, enhanced self-control or no behavioral changes do not fit the common pattern seen when executive and social behavior processes are disrupted by injury. The described cluster—impulsivity, reduced inhibition, poor self-regulation, irritability, aggression, reduced insight, and difficulty adhering to social norms—best captures the persistent behavioral impairments after TBI.