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Study Finds Victims of TBI and Depression Show Signs of Remission With Treatment

A study published in the November 2008 issue of the Journal of Psychopharmacology recently discovered that anti-depressants among traumatic brain injury victims who also suffered from symptoms of depression were found to be ineffective and requiring stronger or additional methods of therapy for treatment.

The study gave individuals with major depression who had been involved in a brain injury incident a treatment of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). According to the study, "SSRIs have shown statistically significant reductions on depression" in the past; however, with this study, patients who were showing signs of improvement at six weeks were worse at 10 weeks when they were reassessed.

The study, conducted by the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and funded by the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation and Ontario Mental Health Foundation, noted that "major depression is a complication seen in about one-third of patients within the first year of TBI and, when present, is associated with poor psychosocial functioning and persisting post-concussive symptoms."

According to researchers, depression is often a symptom that develops after a traumatic brain injury has occurred. Most recently, scientists and medical professionals are reporting increased numbers of brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, which is a mental anxiety condition that affects individuals who have experienced extreme stress as described by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), because of soldiers returning from the war in Iraq.

Signs and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, Depression

According to the Department of Health for the state of Pennsylvania, the following are symptoms among adults that may indicate a brain injury has occurred:

* headaches and neck pain that does not dissipate
* difficulty remembering, concentrating or developing their own decisions
* unusual behavior or personality changes begin to develop
* vomiting begins after 1 to 2 hours following the injury
* difficulty walking
* seizures begin to occur or sudden onset of fixed stares
* blurred and/or double vision
* the pupils of the eyes are different
* loss of smell, taste and ringing in the ears
* blood or clear fluid begins to flow from eyes and nose


Often, a victim may be unaware of the seriousness of their injury or they may self-diagnose and be at a greater risk for a worsening TBI condition, which is why it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately upon any indication that a brain injury has occurred.



If a brain injury worsens or goes untreated, a number of brain injury side effects can develop, including depression. Additional side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic, may include the following:

* skull infections, including meningitis
* nerve damage
* language difficulties
* personality changes, including more anxious or depressed
* sensory problems
* post-concussion syndrome
* Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease
* seizures
* cognitive disabilities
* coma


While depression may be a complication that has developed as a result of a TBI, its signs and symptoms are also important to watch for among both TBI victims and everyday individuals. The NIMH reports that some of these signs and symptoms of depression include:

* persistent sadness, anxiousness or empty moods
* hopelessness, pessimism
* feelings of guilt, helplessness, worthlessness
* loss of pleasure and interest hobbies once enjoyed


Overcoming a Traumatic Brain Injury

Patients who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately. Not only does the risk of long-term TBI side effects decrease the sooner a victim seeks medical attention, but some studies are finding that if a TBI victim seeks medical attention immediately following an injury, they may be able to reverse the effects of a brain injury altogether, as a TBI treatment is currently being studied regarding this.

Unfortunately, millions of Americans suffer from TBI - approximately 1.4 million are injured annually according to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). Of these 1.4 million, approximately 1.1 million are treated and released, 235,000 individuals are hospitalized for their condition, and close to 50,000 individuals perish because of their injury. It is imperative that medical attention is sought to not only provide treatments for a medically injured victim, but to also prevent a worsened condition.