Brain Injury & Depression
Depression is one of the most common emotional issues that persons experience after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Approximately 27 to 42 percent of TBI survivors experience depression within the first year following injury.
Depressive disorders range in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. Doctors use the term "clinical depression" to describe the more severe, persistent form of depression. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Persistent sadness or feeling of emptiness
- Sleep disturbances
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Loss of concentration
- Fatigue
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Depression and Traumatic Brain Injury
By Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD, OTR/L
6 pages
Coping with Depression after Brain Injury ...
Depressed After Brain Injury?
20 pages
Depression and Anxiety
http://www.aacap.org/
"Silent Stroke" Linked To Depression
A silent stroke occurs when small blood vessels in the brain become blocked or rupture. They are called silent strokes because they are not accompanied by the classic warning signs of stroke such as severe headaches, dizziness or loss of motor skills. Individuals often don't realize they've even had a stroke. Over time, these smaller blood vessels are unable to deliver blood or oxygen to the brain, and cells die.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/10/991004071002.htm
Depression following severe brain injury
There pain described above is caused by the negative side of occupation, but at least it assumes that there is still some movement within the condition and therefore there is hope. Even worse than this is the suffering that is caused by having nothing at all to do, where life is pervaded by a sense of pointlessness. This is the common condition of many people with head injury with whom the clinician will be familiar.
The works of Primo Levi, Alexander Solzshenitzen, Victor Frankl in their writing about concentration camps make the effects of extreme idleness horribly and distressingly clear. Robert Burton (1638 in Caulton 1998a) tells us that it is not just melancholy which brings about idleness, but that idleness brings about melancholy.
http://www.severe-brain-injury.com/alienation.htm
Depression Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life. Symptoms can include
- Sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Change in weight
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Energy loss
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Depression in the Workplace
Depression in College
Holiday Depression and Stress
What to Do When Depression Enters a Relationship
Sucide Awareness Voices of Eduction
In an emergency, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK
If you feel suicidal, see a doctor. There is help.
Depression
Depression in Children and Adolescents
Mild Brain Injury and Depression
Practice Skills to Prevent Debilitation Due
to Frustration and Loss
Trauma to the brain results in many mood and behavior problems. Depression is frequently cited after a mild head injury due to frustration and loss of self esteem.
http://brain-injuries.suite101.com/article.cfm/mild_brain_injury_and_depression
Depression and Traumatic Brain Injury
Problem: Depressive symptoms are a common mental health problem following traumatic brain injury (TBI), occurring in up to 87% of patients. Depression following TBI has important consequences including poor functioning, lack of ability to return to work and family activities and prolonged TBI symptoms. The reason depression develops in some patients following TBI is unknown, making treatment difficult.
One type of brain protein that shows genetic differences between people is called the serotonin transporter. People can be divided by whether or not they have a short protein (S allele) or a long protein (L allele) which influences the amount of serotonin transporter. Serotonin is a key brain chemical in depression in many mental/psychiatric illnesses. We think that the genetic differences in the serotonin transporter, that may not make a difference before TBI, may become important after TBI due to the nature of these injuries.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00254007
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/depression/htm/index.htm
Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms
Depression: Supporting a family member or friend with depression
Depression and Brain Injury
based on "Depression in the Individual with Brain Injury" by Shannon S.Voor,Ph.D.
Many times, individuals with a brain injury experience depression. One may notice feelings of sadness, crying episodes, changes in appetite, sleep disturbance, disinterest in pleasurable activities, hopelessness, poor self esteem, withdrawing, less sexual desire, "tiredness," and difficulty with making decisions or concentrating, and possibly, even thoughts of suicide. Yet, many of these symptoms may not be depression, but a result of the brain injury itself. If this is the case, it is important to get a thorough evaluation.
As time passes, and a person with brain injury begins to realize the impact of his or her injury, the possibility of becoming depressed increases. There are so many changes in this person's life that it seems overwhelming at times. The individual must also face social stigmas experienced by persons with disabilities. A brain injury generally limits one's independence and creates new financial limitations and pressures. If the individual is unable to find meaningful work, or is permanently disabled, then self-worth may suffer.
Depression and Depression Management
Depression and Stroke
Stroke and Depression
There is a relationship between stroke and depression. Of the 600,000American men and women who experience a first or recurrent stroke each year, an estimated 10 to 27 percent will experience major depression. Unfortunately, the depression that often follows a stroke is frequently undiagnosed and untreated. When a person experiences both a stroke and depression, it's important to treat both medical problems separately.
http://stroke.emedtv.com/stroke/stroke-and-depression.html
DEPRESSION IN BRAIN INJURY by Daniel Gardner, M.D.
http://www.sdbif.org/Newsletter/Article07.htm
Mood Disorders
Depression
Taking AIM At Post-Stroke Depression
Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
Depression Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Depression is one of the most common emotional issues that persons experience after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Approximately 27 to 42 percent of TBI survivors experience depression within the first year following injury.
This rate is significantly higher than the depression rate in the general population, which is about 9.5 percent. The results of long-term studies indicate that the rate of depression in TBI survivors remains higher than the rate for persons without TBI for many years after injury.
Depression can negatively affect a person’s recovery from TBI, interfering with a person’s relationships with family and friends and affect his or her ability to get and keep a job. Depression is also related to lower levels of life satisfaction following injury and can affect recovery by lowering motivation to participate in therapy.
http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/TIRR_tbi_depression.html
Treatment of Depression
By Harold L. Burke, Ph.D.
Understanding Hospitalization for Mental Health
If you have severe symptoms of an illness like depression or bipolar disorder, a brief stay in the hospital can help you stabilize.
Traumatic events that can cause the disorder include:
- violent assaults such as rape
- fire
- physical or sexual abuse
- senseless acts of violence (such as school or neighborhood shootings)
- natural or man-made disasters
- car accidents
- military combat (this form of PTSD is sometimes called "shell shock")
- witnessing another person go through these kinds of traumatic events
- diagnoses of life-threatening medical illnesses (now recognized by mental health professionals as a trigger for PTSD in some people)
Psychological Factors Affecting Behavior:
Depression After Brain Injury
Ruth Estes, Ph.D,
Next Steps: Getting the Treatment You
Need to Reach Real Recovery
20 pages
Finding a Mental Health Professional:
A Personal Guide
13 pages
http://www.biail.org/
info@biail.org
(312) 726-5699 or 800-699-6443