Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychiatric Comorbidity

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is determined as a pathology of brain and a changing of a function of the brain caused by an external force. It may cause death and disability. Most of the time, psychological symptoms occur after TBI. The most common comorbid psychiatric conditions after TBI are adjustment disorder, phobic disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder and depression. Psychiatric morbidity after TBI harms on the recovery. Since psychiatric conditions after TBI may cause social and occupational problems, understanding the prevalence and pathogenesis of post-TBI psychiatric syndromes is essential for developing treatment strategies and managing with sequelae of TBI. In this review we aimed to elucidate clinical features and treatment approaches to TBI with comorbid psychiatric situations evaluating published studies.

Keywords

• trauma
• brain injury
• psychiatric comorbidity