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Symptoms and Possible Effects
Brain Injury and Mental Health
Mental health symptoms after a brain injury are real, treatable, and deserve attention just like other common brain injury symptoms.
What you’ll find on this page:
- How brain injury can affect mental health
- How mental health symptoms can show up and why they happen
- How mental health symptoms may change over time
- What you can do to get support and help with recovery
Mental health symptoms are common after a brain injury1-3
Mental health symptoms after a brain injury are real, treatable, and deserve attention just like other common brain injury symptoms. Mental health symptoms can affect relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, anger, and irritability, may begin soon after the injury, appear later, or come and go over time.
Examples of some common mental health symptoms are provided below.
| Anxiety and trouble coping with stress |
Feelings of sadness or depression | Anger and irritability |
| People may feel constant worry, fear, stress, or feel overwhelmed or nervous without knowing why. They may also have physical symptoms like a racing heart, fast breathing, sweating, or shaking, and/or “butterflies” in the stomach. | People may feel sad, irritable, or hopeless, have low energy or changes in sleep or appetite, trouble concentrating, and/or loss of interest in activities. It can be hard to tell the difference between depression and brain injury symptoms, because they can look similar (like fatigue or frustration). | People may have a “short fuse” or react more strongly than before. It can be hard for some people to understand or explain what they are feeling. Anger and irritability can affect relationships and may lead to isolation if not addressed. |
Mental health symptoms are likely linked to several factors
The injury itself can affect areas of the brain that control emotions and change brain chemistry. At the same time, life changes, like loss of independence or changes in work, school, or family roles, can be stressful and difficult to adjust to. Changes in memory, attention, or thinking can also make daily life feel overwhelming. Some people who had mental health conditions before the injury, such as anxiety or depression, may notice that their symptoms get worse. Using alcohol and/or drugs can also worsen mental health symptoms after a brain injury.
Children are especially at risk for mental health symptoms after a brain injury
Almost half of children diagnosed with a brain injury (including concussion) experience one or more mental health symptoms.4 Brain injuries can affect a child’s emotions and behavior, not just right away, but for years after the injury. Research shows that some children and adolescents may develop new emotional or behavioral conditions for up to four years following a brain injury.5,6
Mental health care should be a routine part of brain injury care
Support and treatment for mental health symptoms can make a difference in the lives of people with brain injury and their loved ones. Individuals experiencing mental health symptoms should talk with a medical professional about how they are feeling. Medical professionals can help screen for and identify symptoms, as well as recommend treatment and care options. Counseling, support groups, staying connected with family and friends, and doing physical activities have also been shown to help improve mental health symptoms and feelings of connectedness.
- References
- 1. Andelic N, Sigurdardottir S, Schanke AK, Sandvik L, Sveen U, Roe C. Disability, physical health and mental health 1 year after traumatic brain injury. Disabil Rehabil. 2010;32(13):1122–31. doi:10.3109/09638280903410722
2. Caccese JB, Smith CR, Edwards NA, et al. Silent Struggles: Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mental Health in Law Enforcement. J Head Trauma Rehabil. Aug 5 2024;doi:10.1097/htr.0000000000000986
3. Esterov D. Risk for Mood and Anxiety Disorders after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Population-Based, Birth Cohort Analysis. M.S. College of Medicine – Mayo Clinic; 2022.
4. Ellis MJ, Ritchie LJ, Koltek M, et al. Psychiatric outcomes after pediatric sports-related concussion. Journal of neurosurgery Pediatrics. Dec 2015;16(6):709–18. doi:10.3171/2015.5.Peds15220
5. Delmonico RL, Theodore BR, Sandel ME, Armstrong MA, Camicia M. Prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders following mild traumatic brain injury. PM&R. 2022;14(7):753–763. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12657
6. Burns C, Jo J, Williams K, et al. Subclinical, long-term psychological symptoms following sport-related concussion: are athletes more depressed than we think? Brain Inj. Apr 4 2024:1–8. doi:10.1080/02699052.2024.2334352
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Contact the National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443 or braininjuryinfo@biausa.org to speak to a specialist about:
- Help with care needs
- Legal and financial resources
- Services in your community
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