Psychiatric Issues Resulting from a Traumatic Brain Injury

Behavioral changes and dysfunction related to psychiatric disorders are common after a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The traumatic brain injury may have resulted from a motor vehicle collision, a work-related occurrence, a neurological incident such as a stroke or some other type of trauma. It may be a catastrophic brain injury or a mild brain injury.

NeuLife and its multidisciplinary team are uniquely equipped, through behavioral analysis and the specialized rehabilitation of behavioral dysfunction, to address the post-acute rehabilitation needs of individuals who have sustained these injuries and resulting behavioral dysfunction that presents as a psychiatric disorder. NeuLife provides rehabilitation with the goal of each client achieving a successful sustained outcome and, ultimately, independence to the fullest extent of his or her physical and psychological abilities.

The process begins when an individual is admitted to NeuLife in Mount Dora, Florida. The client undergoes a comprehensive evaluation and, if determined necessary during that evaluation when inappropriate behaviors are observed, a formal behavioral analysis is conducted. Formal evaluations and testing are conducted along with observations in multiple environments and under various circumstances. Among other professionals and dependent on each individual’s needs and history, the multidisciplinary team can include, but not be limited to:

• Board Certified Neurologist
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Board Certified Physiatrist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Psychiatrist
• Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nursing

It is sometimes difficult to evaluate the severity of the residuals of a traumatic brain injury. What is most important in developing a rehabilitation plan for each client is the overall function of the NeuLife client. NeuLife relies, in part, upon the diagnosis or diagnoses, records and care provided at the acute care facility. However, a multidisciplinary team assembled for each new client evaluates him or her to develop a regimen of clinically relevant services for short- and/or long-term rehabilitation and related services determined to maximize each client’s level of function in all areas.

From a psychiatric standpoint, there are many possible outgrowths of a traumatic brain injury. Some of these include:

• Depression: As the term is generically used, this is common following a traumatic brain injury. It is often hard to demarcate between it in the psychiatric sense and overlapping symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, adjustment disorder, difficulty concentrating and grief[1].
• Mania: This is often characterized by an abnormal mood elevation but is also accompanied by increased irritability.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• Post-traumatic stress disorder;
• Apathy; and
• Emotional instability and rapid mood changes

Myriad therapies and strategies are employed by NeuLife’s professionals to address the needs of its clients who have psychiatric issues resulting from traumatic brain injury. These professionals understand that treating psychiatric needs can be among the foremost modalities to enhance the likelihood that clients may advance to supported living or even complete independence given any physical limitations. Some of the therapies include:

• Psycho-dynamic therapy: Reveals the unconscious dynamics of the individual’s psyche;
• Behavior therapy: Change one or all of the maladaptive aspects of the individual’s behavior; and
• Existential therapy: Based on the belief that one is alone in the world. It can lead to feelings of isolation and meaninglessness. The goal of the therapy is philosophical and helps to create in the individual his or her own values and sense of meaningfulness.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” — the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic amputations and other catastrophic injuries.

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2536546/