Risk of Developing Mood Disorders After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be life-altering events with profound consequences for physical and mental health. This article details the significant risk of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety following TBI, including specific symptoms to watch for as well as factors that increase the likelihood of post-TBI mood disorders.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Its Effects

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically occurs when the brain is injured by an external force. This can be caused by a blow to the head or body (known as a closed head injury or blunt TBI), or in more severe cases, it can occur due to an object entering the brain (known as a penetrating or open TBI).¹

Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms

The first symptoms of TBI that tend to appear include headache, confusion, fatigue, and dizziness; these symptoms are more likely to resolve over time than emotional symptoms such as irritability, which most often arise during the TBI recovery period. Other symptoms include:²

• Seizures or convulsions
• Blurred/double vision
• Differently sized pupils
• Drainage of clear fluid from nose and/or ears
• Neurological problems such as muscle weakness, lack of balance, or slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty being woken up
• Confusion
• Memory, concentration, or decision-making difficulties
• Light-headedness
• Hearing problems
• Unpleasant taste in mouth
• Abnormal behavior such as mood swings
• Feelings of anxiety or depression

Link Between Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mood Disorders

Not only are mood disorders a common outcome of TBI, but they are one of the most frequent outcomes of this condition.³ An estimated 30 to 80 percent of those with mild to moderate TBI experience neurobehavioral symptoms as a result, which may last three months or even longer following the initial injury.⁴

More specifically, the most common post-TBI mood disorders are major depressive disorder (with prevalence ranging from 13 to 53 percent of cases) and anxiety disorders (ranging from 11 to 70 percent of cases).⁵

Compared to depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is a less likely consequence of TBI, with estimated rates of one to nine percent, which is comparable to the prevalence rate of bipolar disorder found in the general population.⁶

Factors That Increase the Risk of Mood Disorders After TBI

Several key factors increase the likelihood that a person will develop a mood disorder after experiencing a TBI:

• The severity of the TBI: More severe brain injuries are more likely to lead to mood disorders, while mild TBIs may have minimal long-term effects on mood and affect.⁷
• Brain regions injured by the TBI: If the parts of the brain that are injured are those that regulate emotion – such as the frontal lobe, hippocampus, and limbic system – this can increase the risk of developing mood disorders.⁸
• History of mental health conditions: Those who have already had mood disorders such as depression or anxiety before their TBI are at greater risk of developing new or worsening mood disorders afterwards.⁹

Signs and Symptoms of Mood Disorders in TBI Patients

Mood disorder symptoms in TBI patients are similar to those in the general population, and may include:¹⁰

• Feelings of sadness and/or hopelessness
• Apathy and loss of interest in activities that they used to enjoy
• Anger and irritability
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Appetite changes
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Feeling worthless
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Excessive worry
• Panic attacks
• Hypervigilance
• Physical anxiety symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and sweating
• Avoiding social interaction

Florida-Based Treatment Options for Post-TBI Mood Disorders

Florida-based individuals who are in need of treatment for traumatic brain injury-related mood disorders such as depression and anxiety can receive an initial psychiatric evaluation, as well as ongoing services such as medication management and psychotherapy, through Inlight Psychiatry & Therapy.

Contact Inlight Psychiatry & Therapy to schedule your evaluation with one of their expert clinicians and begin your journey toward greater mental health and wellness.