Depression Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Researchers found patients with traumatic brain injury suffered from major depression for a year after the injury. A new study conducted by scientists at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle revealed that traumatic brain injury may lead to major depression.Other studies have documented the relationship between traumatic brain injury and depression. Many involved smaller samples sizes. However this study involved 559 patients.
Interestingly, the severity of the brain injury did not suggest greater depression. Rather it was the age of the patient. People in the the peak of their prime from 30 to 44 years old - noticed the impact of their injury greater than other age groups. These people rated their functioning and health as particularly affected.
The study concluded that routine screening for depression in the months following traumatic brain injury may be critical. I always counsel my clients to get care as close in time to their injury as possible. It is generally accepted that spontaneous recovery occurs most during the 12 months following injury. And the more rehabilitation one can get closest to the time of injury, the better the potential outcome.
Unfortunately, the people I counsel often do not have resources to obtain treatment during that
initial 12 month period. Often they lose their jobs and insurance and are left to navigate the medical system alone. This is impeded by organic depression which in turn creates more depression: situational and otherwise.
initial 12 month period. Often they lose their jobs and insurance and are left to navigate the medical system alone. This is impeded by organic depression which in turn creates more depression: situational and otherwise.My clients are often seen by hospital emergency room physicians initially. The most obvious injuries are attended to as life or death situations. After they are patched up, they are sent home with instructions to return if necessay. Then they get a bill that shocks them. Returning to the hospital because they have constant headache or dizziness does not seem economical. That is why I usually end up managing care by getting the client to appropriate health care providers for follow up and follow through.
The results of the study appeared in the May 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
