Emotional distress following traumatic brain injury

Abstract

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant life event that can have serious and long-lasting impacts on neurobehavioral and psychosocial functioning, and may cause disruptions in major life areas. High levels of emotional distress are frequently experienced by persons who have sus- tained a TBI, and are associated with poorer functional outcomes following injury. Effective assessment and treatment of emotional distress and the "wounded soul" (J Head Trauma Rehabil 1991, 6(4):1-10) in persons with TBI are well-recognized as important components of rehabilitation following TBI. This chapter will focus on the most common types of emotional distress experienced by persons who have sustained a TBI: Depression and anxiety. Factors associated with the experience of emotional distress following injury, assessment considerations, and interventions for emotional distress will be discussed. Finally, two case studies that highlight issues that may impact the psychological treatment of emotional distress in persons with TBI will be presented.