The Connection Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health

You hit your head. Maybe it was in a car accident, a fall, or while playing sports. At the time, you might have felt dazed and had a headache, but you figured you were fine. Now, weeks or even months later, you’re not feeling like yourself. You’re more irritable, you have trouble concentrating, and you feel a sense of sadness or anxiety that you can’t shake. Could this be related to that old injury? The answer is very likely yes. The link between a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), even a mild one, and subsequent mental health problems is strong and well-established.

At Televero Health, we know it’s crucial to look at the whole person, and that includes their history of physical trauma. A TBI is not just a physical injury; it is an injury to the very organ that controls our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Understanding this connection is vital for getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI is an injury to the brain caused by an external force, such as a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. TBIs range in severity from mild to severe.

• A mild TBI is what we commonly call a concussion. There may or may not be a brief loss of consciousness (less than 30 minutes), and the person may feel dazed or confused.
• A moderate to severe TBI involves a longer period of unconsciousness and is associated with more significant, long-term problems.

Even a single, mild concussion can be enough to cause lasting changes in the brain. The risk of developing psychiatric problems increases with the severity of the injury and with the number of injuries a person has sustained over their lifetime.

How Does a TBI Affect the Brain?

A blow to the head causes the brain, which has a soft, gelatin-like consistency, to slam against the hard, bony inside of the skull. This can cause bruising, bleeding, and the tearing of nerve fibers. The injury can disrupt the brain’s delicate chemical balance and damage the neural pathways that are responsible for emotional regulation and cognitive function.

The injury sets off a cascade of inflammation and other chemical changes as the brain tries to heal itself. This process can last for weeks or months after the initial injury and can have a major impact on your mental state. The parts of the brain that are most often affected in a TBI, the frontal and temporal lobes, are the very same areas that are heavily involved in controlling personality, emotion, and behavior.

Common Psychiatric Conditions After a TBI

It is very common for people to experience new or worsened mental health symptoms after a TBI. The risk is significantly higher than in the general population. Some of the most common conditions include:

• Depression: This is the most common psychiatric condition to develop after a TBI. The symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.
• Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD are all common after a TBI. The experience of the injury itself can be traumatic, and the changes in the brain can make a person feel more anxious and hypervigilant.
• Irritability and Aggression: A TBI can damage the parts of the brain that help with impulse control and emotional regulation, leading to a “short fuse” and difficulty managing anger.
• Cognitive Problems: Difficulties with attention, memory, and executive function are very common and can be a major source of frustration and distress.
• Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia is a frequent complaint after a TBI and can worsen every other symptom.

The Importance of a Thorough History

If you are experiencing new mental health symptoms, it is incredibly important to tell your psychiatrist about any history of head injuries, no matter how minor they seemed at the time. This information is a critical clue that can help your doctor to understand the potential biological cause of your symptoms.

The treatment approach may need to be different for someone with a post-TBI condition. They may be more sensitive to the side effects of certain medications, and the treatment plan will almost certainly need to include strategies for managing the cognitive symptoms alongside the emotional ones. This might involve a referral to a neuropsychologist for testing or to a cognitive rehabilitation therapist.

A head injury is an injury to your brain. It is not surprising that it can have a profound impact on your mental health. By providing your doctor with a complete history, you can ensure that your treatment plan addresses the full, complex picture of your health, giving you the best chance to heal both your brain and your mind.

Key Takeaways

• A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), including a mild concussion, can cause lasting changes to the brain’s structure and chemistry.
• It is very common to develop psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and irritability after a TBI.
• The parts of the brain most often damaged in a TBI are the same ones that control emotion, personality, and impulse control.
• It is crucial to tell your psychiatrist about any history of head injuries, as this information is vital for an accurate diagnosis and an effective, safe treatment plan.

Ready to take the first step? We can help. Get started with Televero Health today.