People who were hospitalized following a traumatic brain injury is at higher risk of encountering a major depression. This was the finding of a recent study made by experts at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
The results of the research were presented to students who were studying mental health and was also published at the May of issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
According to the proponents of the study, around 6 million individuals in the United States are trying to cope with a TBI or traumatic Brain Injury and the severe disability it comes with. Some of the major causes of brain injury are vehicular accidents, gun shots and other penetrating wounds, and blunt injuries. TBI is also considered a signature injury for the forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There were 559 patients who participated in the study and about 53.1% of the subjects showed major depression during a follow-up.
Looking at the risk factors, those who were alcohol dependent, younger, and those with records of depression before or after the head trauma, are highly likely to encounter depression post-TBI.
The study also points out to the lack of care for TBI patients with depression since only 44% of this population receives counseling or treatment for their depression. The lack of care is reflected on the patients’ quality of life.
Tags: brain injury, Depression