Like the name implies, a traumatic brain injury is extremely serious. But the damage can be just the start of long-term health problems. After a person experiences a traumatic brain injury (TBI), like a concussion from a sports injury, there's an increased chance that a person will also experience depression.
In fact, it's estimated that nearly half of people with a traumatic brain injury will develop depression within the first year. This is alarming given that 1.5 million Americans experience such an injury every year, with 230,000 people requiring hospitalization. Despite being common, the mental health effects can hinder a person's recovery and be difficult to treat. Up until now, doctors have treated this kind of depression with antidepressants and cognitive behavioral interventions. Frustratingly, these interventions don't always work.
