Traumatic Brain Injury Tied to Increase Risk of Suicide
In a recent study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), researchers have linked traumatic brain injuries to a potentially higher risk of suicide. For those suffering from serious head injuries, whether from falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or otherwise, this could prove to shed light on yet another area of one’s long-term prognosis that should be explored when trying to calculate how the injury will affect the future. This is especially important for those who have been injured by a negligent person or company and who may be seeking to obtain compensation for their injury.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Study
According to reporting by ABC News, the study reviewed a total of 34,529 suicides spanning 35 years. Researchers used the Danish national registry for their sample population.
Findings
According to the study, the researchers made two significant findings. First, they discovered that there is a notable link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and suicidal ideation. Second, they discovered that the more hospital visits and more severe the TBI, the higher the probability of suicide. The risk seemed to be greatest during the initial six-month period directly after leaving the hospital.
Understanding TBI
Many Americans have heard of TBI, perhaps on television or through media discussions about veterans and combat-related injuries that many soldiers suffer from explosions or other injuries relating to war. However, a lot of Americans are actually quite uncertain about what really constitutes a TBI, as opposed to concussion, brain bleed, or any number of other head traumas a person can suffer. An easy way to explain TBI is to simply think of it as any physical injury to the brain.
A concussion can be considered a mild TBI, while more severe TBI can lead to complete loss of consciousness and even death.
How Common is TBI?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that roughly 2.5 million people are treated for TBI each year. The most common cause for members of the general public is motor vehicle collisions; however, there is a risk of TBI anytime there is a blow to the head.
Symptoms of TBI Following an Accident or Injury
Because a TBI is an actual physical trauma to the brain, there really is no such thing as an insignificant injury. Also, depending on exactly how and where the brain is affected, TBI can manifest in a variety of ways, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Lapse of memory
- Changes in physical sensation
- Changes in vision, hearing, or taste and smell
- Coordination problems
You do not need to actually ‘strike’ your head to suffer a TBI. In fact, the violent motion of a car accident can cause the brain to shake back and forth inside the skull, damaging brain tissue and causing TBI.
Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer if You Suspect A TBI After an Accident
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident or suffered some other form of personal injury due to someone else’s careless or negligent conduct, you should immediately seek medical attention. Often an MRI will be needed in order to rule out other medical conditions or complications. Next, be sure to contact an experienced Long Island accident lawyer who can help you determine your options and fight for the compensation that you deserve.
The Long Island personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP represent clients on a contingent fee basis, meaning we only receive payment for our services if we succeed at getting compensation for our clients. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
