[Treatment of Mental Disorders During the Acute Phase of Brain Trauma].

Abstract

During the acute phase of brain trauma, hallucinations, delusions, agitation, and aggression due to delirium and transit syndrome are common. Transit syndrome due to brain trauma is not treated, instead clinicians simply wait for it to pass, whereas delirium is a pathological condition that can be dealt with by stabilizing the general condition, and it is therefore important to identify. After brain trauma, transit syndrome may occur during the acute to subacute phase when consciousness disorder improves. If the patient is difficult to control, it is recommended that treatment be performed in cooperation with a psychiatrist. For agitation caused by brain trauma, administration of mood stabilizers(valproic acid, carbamazepine)and Chinese herbs(yokukansan)may be considered. For depressive symptoms, anxiety, impulsivity, irritability, etc., administration of SSRI as an antidepressant may be considered. Antipsychotics may be considered if antidepressants or mood stabilizers are ineffective against agitation, or if the patient experiences schizophrenia-like symptoms such as delusions.