Traumatic Brain Injury and the Link to PTSD
More and more research has been done in the past few years regarding the link between a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to a study from UCLA published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, people who suffer a TBI are more likely to develop PTSD or a similar anxiety disorder. This is especially true for veterans wounded in combat, but could apply to anyone who incurred a TBI.
The exact cause of the correlation is unknown. It could be that suffering from a brain injury is, itself, physiologically traumatic. Or the incidence surrounding the injury was emotionally painful or frightening. For example, if someone incurs a TBI in a car crash, they could develop PTSD symptoms and be afraid to drive a car again, experience flashbacks, or develop anxiety.
Or, the answer could be more scientific. As explained by Science Daily, a part of the brain could be damaged in an accident. This damage may cause the person to feel inappropriately scared or excitable in pressured situations.
In the UCLA study, scientists examined a small piece of brain tissue (the amygdala) in rats that had suffered a TBI. The amygdala is the brain’s critical hub for fear learning. They found that brain damaged rats had more fear receptors than the non-brain damaged rats.
“This finding suggests that brain injury leaves the amygdala in a more excitable state that readies it for acquiring potent fear,” said Michael Fanselow, a UCLA professor of psychology and the senior author of the study.
Managing your TBI and PTSD symptoms
A traumatic brain injury is caused by a sudden blow or jolt to the head, often occurring as the result of a motor vehicle accident, assault, or slip and fall. You could suffer immediate and long-term symptoms ranging in severity. Victims may have physical signs like slurred speech, mental symptoms, such as memory loss, and emotional deficiencies, including anxiety and depression.
The emotional and mental symptoms of PTSD are similar, but there are some significant differences. PTSD often causes sleep disorders, feelings of detachment, flashbacks, shame, and survivor’s guilt. Both TBI and PTSD sufferers may experience fatigue, depression, and emotional outbursts. But, while PTSD suffers may relive constant unpleasant memories, TBI sufferers could experience memory loss.
When these two conditions coexist, the victim could be experiencing a vast amount of emotional and psychological pain. Both the medical and psychological treatments differ from person to person, but generally speaking, a person with a TBI and PTSD should seek professional mental health counseling. Your doctor may prescribe anti-depressants as well. Lean on healthcare providers to get the treatment you need.
If someone else’s reckless behavior caused your brain injury, and consequently your PTSD, seek justice with the help of the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm. Our Nashville traumatic brain injury lawyers help you obtain the compensation needed to pay for ongoing medical care, plus reimburse you for your lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. You deserve to get the best treatment available. To arrange a consult in our Nashville, Gallatin, or Knoxville office, call 615-425-2500 or complete our contact form today.