Mood Disorders Are Common After A Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can be life changing. From causing permanent physical disabilities, to leaving the victim with serious cognitive problems, TBIs can affect the person’s life in many ways. Traumatic brain injuries that result in persistent post concussive symptoms can also lead to significant mood disorders in the victim. Persistent symptoms that accompany a TBI can cause continuous mood disorders such as depression, irritability, and anxiety. In this post, we will discuss the various mood disorders that a TBI victim can suffer.

When TBI symptoms such as concentration problems, cognitive problems, difficulty completing tasks, memory problems, physical pain including muscle pain and headaches, and difficulty getting along with others continue and persist, mood disorders can occur. Some of the common mood disorders that can result include:

Anxiety

Traumatic brain injuries are life threatening injuries that can cause stress and anxiety. Common symptoms of anxiety include worry and fear, and difficulty sleeping that can lead to aggravation of existing problems such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, difficulty multitasking and difficulty completing tasks. Anxiety can cause confusion and panic attacks. Anxiety can also cause fear and the victim may start worrying excessively about the future, and may be unable to interact with people socially.

Depression

Persistent TBI symptoms can cause depression, which is a condition characterized by feelings of despair, discouragement and sadness. Sadness that lasts a long time can cause loss of enjoyment in all activities and it can lead to major depression. Some other symptoms can include loss of concentration, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, decreased energy, sleep problems and loss of appetite.

Irritability

Anger and irritability are common among TBI victims. The patient may blow up at the slightest of thing and may have zero tolerance. TBI victims tend to become more angry or irritable, because they find it more difficult to slow or stop emotional response to things. Due to the fact that TBI patients are often unable to control emotional responses to problems, they can become severely irritable. Anger and irritability can also arise from frustration of not being able to concentrate, multitask or do things that they could do before the injury.

Due to the adverse effects that these mood disorders can have on a person’s life, it is important that anyone suffering from a TBI seek expert medical help and consult a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist so that proper medication and treatment can be prescribed. Timely treatment can help overcome the many symptoms of these mood disorders and can greatly enhance the quality of life for the patient.

Seeking legal help in a traumatic brain injury case

TBIs are often life changing, and are also among the most costly injuries sustained. Patients often require lifelong treatment and care, and the costs can run into millions. If your TBI is a result of another person’s negligence, you should hold the responsible person or party accountable for your losses. To ensure that your legal rights are protected, it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced Dallas personal injury attorney about your case. At Arsenault Law Firm we have a proven track record of success in helping injured victims. Call us today at (214) 903-4462 for a free consultation.

Mood Disorders Are Common After A Traumatic Brain Injury

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