Mental Health and ABI
Acquired Brain Injury : Depression and Suicide Brochure (Pdf, 55kb)
It is estimated that prevalence rates for co-morbid psychiatric disorders in ABI may be as high as 44% (Hibbard et al). Factors that may adversely influence the mental health of a person with brain injury may be seen at a number of levels:
- Direct effects of brain injuries (eg. cognitive and motor disturbances, emotional disorders, increased impulsivity, depression, rigidity, hyperactivity) may precipitate mental health difficulties.
- Longer-term implications of these effects of brain injuries may result in profound personality changes, which might adversely influence mental health.
- Changes in capabilities and competencies post injury may increase the likelihood of depression for people with ABI. Suicide rates are higher among people with brain injuries than the general population.
- Brain injury is often a catastrophic, life-changing event for individuals and their families. Many ABI survivors experience dramatic and permanent changes in work status, role, income, family life, support network, and quality of life. This may predispose them to significant depressive reactions and feelings of social isolation, helplessness and hopelessness.
- Pre-injury social functioning, alcohol use, previous psychiatric problems and family history, all influence mental health.
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Given the multiplicity of risk factors for people with brain injury, the provision of appropriately targeted and tailored mental health strategies is vital. However access to specialist psychiatric assessment and treatment is very difficult especially for people with traumatic brain injury. Mainstream psychiatric services don't have a high level of interest in TBI and many ABI services have limited scope for targeted psychiatric treatments especially in the context of behavioural challenges.
ABI is a major mental health issue. People with ABI may experience challenging problems. Enhanced collaboration between mental health and ABI services would likely reduce long term mental health problems.
Mental Health and ABI Resources
If you have an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) the following resources may assist you to:
- Increase your understanding of mental health and ABI
- Provide information for your family, friends or services that you are working with
- Give you ideas for where you can go for further information, support or advice
ABIOS Resources:
Adjustment, Grief and Loss
Anxiety and Brain Injury (pdf, 246kb)
Depression and ABI (pdf, 368kb)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Psychosis and Brain Injury (pdf, 367kb)
Relaxation after a Brain Injury (pdf, 185kb)
Other Resources:
Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre
Beyondblue provides a national focus on depression its impact through the provision of information, resources and support. Their information line is Ph. 1300 22 4636
All about Depression is a website that aims to provide accurate, current, and relevant information about clinical depression to the public. They also have a section dedicated to resources on relaxation that provides some online relaxation exercises including audio clips for download.
The Melbourne Mindfulness and Stillmind Counselling Centre website also contains a number of relaxation and mindfulness exercises that can be downloaded for free.
Community Wellness at MIT Medical also has a website with free downloads to assist people with issues in the areas of poor sleep, stress, relaxation and mindfulness.
Contact ABIOS
abios@health.qld.gov.au
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