The link between traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and major depression

Brain injury victims, take note: you are more likely than uninjured people to suffer from major depression within a year after suffering your injury. However, your doctor may not screen you for depression, and according to studies you are not likely to receive the treatment you need.

Studies have shown that after suffering a brain injury you are at least 8 times more likely than an uninjured person to experience major depression – and this may be a conservative estimate. Because brain injuries affect accident victims differently, and because so much of how the brain works is still a mystery, it is difficult if not impossible for doctors to predict how individuals will react to a brain injury.

This means that if you or someone you love are struggling with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) it is important that you be on the lookout for the symptoms of major depression, and talk to your doctor about what to look for and treatment options. The sooner accident victims and their families address a suspected case of depression, the sooner the victim can get treatment and feel better.

Symptoms of major depression in adults:

• Feeling sad or unhappy
• Easily irritated or frustrated
• Sleep disorders, like difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or excessive sleeping
• Inability to enjoy normal activities or pleasures
• Decreased sex drive
• Appetite changes, either eating too much or not eating enough
• Feelings of agitation or restlessness
• Feeling sluggish mentally or physically
• Problems concentrating, easy distraction, indecision
• Fatigue, low energy levels
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, fixation on failure, self-blame
• Memory issues
• Crying for no apparent reason
• Unexplained physical problems like headaches or back pain (which in TBI victims may be blamed on the head injury instead of depression)

Current research shows that major depressive disorder (MDD) in brain injury victims is linked to:

• A decrease in cognitive functioning
• Increased anxiety
• Increased feelings of aggression
• Increased functional disability
• Difficulty recovering from the TBI
• Increased rate of suicide attempts
• Higher health care costs

You can get help after a traumatic brain injury accident in Texas

Please contact our office to speak with one of our skilled, compassionate attorneys about your brain injury case. We’ll review your case with you for no cost or obligation, and talk about how we can help you tackle your symptoms, get fair compensation, and move forward with your life.

Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C

1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020

Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 713.224.7800

Fax: 713.224.7801