Depression Common After Traumatic Brain Injuries

Washington, United States (AHN) - A new study found that depression is a common occurrence following a traumatic head injury. University of Washington School of Medicine researchers said that a majority of traumatic brain injured patients report experiencing major depression sometime during the year they were hospitalized.
They said in a statement that major depressive disorder could be the most common and disabling psychiatric condition in people who have suffered a major head injury.
Adverse conditions associated with depression after a head injury include poorer cognitive function, aggression and anxiety, greater functional disability, poorer recovery, higher rates of suicide attempts and higher health care costs.
The study is published in the May 19 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.