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If you’ve ever experienced a brain injury—or cared for someone who has—you’ve probably heard the words mild, moderate, or severe. For years, these labels were the main way doctors described traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). But if you’ve lived through one, you know the reality: those categories don’t always reflect what life looks like afterward. Someone told they had a “mild” injury might still face daily headaches, memory gaps, or overwhelming fatigue months later. Another person with a “severe” injury may regain far more independence than anyone expected.

That mismatch has led researchers and clinicians to rethink how brain injuries are categorized. The shift is important, because it moves the focus away from a label and toward the actual challenges and strengths you or your loved one may have.

Why the old categories don’t always work

Traditionally, brain injuries were classified using tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which measures things like eye-opening, speech, and movement right after the injury. Based on those scores, a TBI was labeled mild, moderate, or severe. While useful in emergency settings, these categories fall short in predicting long-term recovery.

For example, research shows that nearly half of people with so-called “mild” TBIs still report ongoing symptoms a year later (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). These might include trouble concentrating, sensitivity to light and sound, mood changes, or dizziness—symptoms that can make everyday life incredibly hard even if the injury was never considered “severe.”

On the other hand, some people with serious initial injuries make remarkable recoveries, which means the initial classification doesn’t always tell the whole story.

The new approach: focusing on lived impact

Instead of relying only on severity labels, experts are moving toward frameworks that recognize the functional impact of a brain injury. In plain terms, that means looking at how symptoms affect your ability to live, work, and connect with others.

Some clinicians now use terms like persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) or apply functional outcome scales that track recovery over time. The goal is to see the individual, not just the injury. This approach acknowledges that two people with similar initial injuries can experience very different challenges down the road.

What this means for survivors and caregivers

For survivors, this shift can feel validating. If you’ve ever been told “it was just a mild injury” but still struggle to get through the day, you’re not imagining things. The new thinking recognizes that even so-called “mild” injuries can have life-changing effects.

For caregivers, this perspective opens the door to more personalized support. Instead of focusing on where the injury ranks on a scale, you can work with healthcare providers to track specific symptoms, identify triggers, and adjust care plans to meet real-life needs.

Looking forward

Brain injury research is moving in a more compassionate and practical direction—one that aligns with the experiences of survivors and families. While categories may help in hospitals, what really matters is how a person is doing today, and what supports will help them thrive tomorrow.

This change brings hope: a future where care focuses less on labels and more on people—where every symptom is taken seriously, and every step forward is recognized.