Traumatic Brain Injuries and Acute Stress Disorder
A study was recently published looking at the relationship between traumatic brain injuries and the development of an acute stress disorder, such as PTSD. This is one of the important complications of a head injury that everyone should know.
The Study Design: The Development of an Acute Stress Disorder after a TBI
In the study that was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a team of researchers attempted to examine the frequency of acute stress disorders after a traumatic brain injury. An acute stress disorder often develops in the first month after a traumatic accident. Some of the symptoms that individuals might notice include:
- Difficulty sleeping at night
- A loss of appetite
- The inability to enjoy activities that previously brought them great joy
- Intrusive memories related to the traumatic accident
- Difficulty maintaining relationships with family members and friends
The researchers studied close to 100 people who had suffered a traumatic brain injury in an auto accident. During the first month after the accident, the researchers examined these individuals for the development of acute stress disorder. The results of the study shed some light on the relationship between traumatic brain injuries and mental health issues.
The Results of the Study
The researchers found that around 15 percent of the people who had suffered a TBI met the criteria for the development of an acute stress disorder. Furthermore, in almost all of the patients who were diagnosed with acute stress disorder, PTSD subsequently developed around six months later. These results show that individuals who develop acute stress disorder in a traumatic accident are also at high risk of developing PTSD. Those who develop PTSD may have trouble returning to school, work, or maintaining relationships with their loved ones.
Watch YouTube Video: What is Acute Stress – Understanding Acute Stress. This video provides in-depth information on Acute Stress Disorders.
Contacting a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
If a loved one has sustained neurological damage in a traumatic accident, this can create a stressful situation. Family members might have questions or concerns about the recovery process. They might have logistical matters related to the situation surrounding the accident. If this is the case, families need to know that help is available. Meeting with a Bay Area Brain Injury Attorney can help families find answers. Some of the ways that an injury attorney can provide assistance include:
- Acting as an objective presence that can help families examine the various options and select the one that will help in their recovery.
- Examining the details related to the accident, making sure that nothing has been missed.
- Pursuing damages related to the family member’s injuries, pain, and emotional trauma.
- Shifting a case to trial, if required.
Families should not feel like they need to face these challenging situations by themselves. A trained brain injury attorney in San Francisco can help in the recovery process. Reach out and ask for help today. You and your family may be deserving of a financial reward.
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Acute Stress Disorder After a Traumatic Brain Injury: Autoaccident.com
Attribution of Image: The picture above is hosted in its original form on Pixabay.com. The Creative Commons License gives permission to show it here.
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