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Symptoms of Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury

Symptoms of Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury

Definition of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of violent, external force. Concussion, contusion, coup-contrecoup, diffuse axonal, and penetration are the most common forms of brain injury and often occur during serious accidents. You may experience a strong blow to the head or be violently thrown when involved in a car crash, collision with a truck, slip-and-fall incident, workplace mishap involving heavy machinery, or any number of other serious accidents.

If you have experienced any type of traumatic brain injury during an accident, you will experience various symptoms of trauma in the weeks, months, and even weeks to follow. Most people experience dizziness, nausea, headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, and other painful or disruptive physical side effects, which are easier to identify and assess over time. However, a traumatic brain injury can also deliver a serious blow to your psychological and emotional health, which can be much more challenging to detect and treat.

Emotional and Psychological Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury

Mental health changes that stem from a traumatic brain injury produce symptoms that often go undetected because they do not appear directly related to physical brain damage. In many cases, there may be a gap between the physical healing of the brain injury and the manifestation of psychological and emotional problems, making it even more challenging to know where they’re coming from and what to do about them.

This can be particularly true when injured persons begin to experience symptoms of depression after a traumatic brain injury. Because depression is a medical condition, not just an indicator of a “bad mood” or a negative outlook, it can be identified based on certain symptoms and treated accordingly. You may be experiencing injury-related depression if you sustained a blow to the head or diagnosed traumatic brain injury and have since experienced any of the following:

  • Disinterest in normal activities or activities you enjoyed before your injury
  • Trouble falling asleep and sleeping through the night
  • Lethargy and reduced physical speed
  • Difficulty concentrating and remembering things

If you have developed depression since your traumatic brain injury, you will need money in order to take advantage of the treatment options available to you. Your healing process may require costly medications, regular therapy sessions, appointments with specialists, and even time away from work in order to recuperate and treat your symptoms. If the brain injury that brought on your struggle with depression was caused by the irresponsible or negligent behavior of another person, you may be able to sue them for damages and recover the compensation you need to make a full recovery.

Speak with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Sedalia Today by Calling (660) 722-4115

When someone else’s behavior or failure to act results in serious harm to you, they should be held accountable for the effects of that injury and the personal cost it creates for you. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and treatment for depression can require a lot of time and money. Our team at Kempton & Russell is here to help ensure you are taken care of and we are prepared to begin helping you build your case right away.

Contact us to receive your complimentary consultation with one of our Sedalia personal injury lawyers as soon as possible.