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Queensland Health

Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service (ABIOS)
Health Services > Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service (ABIOS)

Mental Health and ABI

Acquired Brain Injury : Depression and Suicide    pdf icon

It is estimated that prevalence rates for co-morbid psychiatric disorders in ABI may be as high as 44% (Hibbard et al). Factors that may adversely influence the mental health of a person with brain injury may be seen at a number of levels:

1. Direct effects of brain injuries (eg. cognitive and motor disturbances, emotional disorders, increased impulsivity, depression, rigidity, hyperactivity) may precipitate mental health difficulties. 

2. Longer-term implications of these effects of brain injuries may result in profound personality changes, which might adversely influence mental health.
 
3. Changes in capabilities and competencies post injury may increase the likelihood of depression for people with ABI.  Suicide rates are higher among people with brain injuries than the general population.

4. Brain injury is often a catastrophic, life-changing event for individuals and their families.  Many ABI survivors experience dramatic and permanent changes in work status, role, income, family life, support network, and quality of life. This may predispose them to significant depressive reactions and feelings of social isolation, helplessness and hopelessness.
 
5. Pre-injury social functioning, alcohol use, previous psychiatric problems and family history, all influence mental health.

Given the multiplicity of risk factors for people with brain injury, the provision of appropriately targeted and tailored mental health strategies is vital. However access to specialist psychiatric assessment and treatment is very difficult especially for people with traumatic brain injury. Mainstream psychiatric services don't have a high level of interest in TBI and many ABI services have limited scope for targeted psychiatric treatments especially in the context of behavioural challenges.

ABI is a major mental health issue. People with ABI may experience challenging problems. Enhanced collaboration between mental health and ABI services would likely reduce long term mental health problems.

Contact ABIOS
abios@health.qld.gov.au

 

 


Last Updated: 17 May 2007
Last Reviewed: 17 May 2007