Of all the organs in the human body, the brain is undoubtedly the most complex and poorly understood. What we can say for certain, however, is that injuries to the brain sometimes result in mental health consequences. The likelihood, severity and longevity of these consequences, however, can vary according to the type of injury sustained.
Mental health and head injuries
Head injuries come in various types, as defined by the brain injury charity, Headway. The vast majority are mild. You might bang your head going through a doorway, and feel dizzy or sick for a few minutes afterwards.
If you have been rendered unconscious for more than fifteen minutes, then we can consider this a moderate head injury. You might also suffer amnesia for a day after the injury. Patients suffering from these symptoms should be monitored overnight for further observation.
If you have been unconscious for more than six hours, then you are more vulnerable to serious long-term effects. However, we shouldn’t view this as a guarantee. Some people suffer this kind of injury and make a full and rapid recovery.
Diagnosis
When we’re diagnosing mental health conditions, we’re relying mostly on the testimony and behaviour of the patient. Look out for sudden changes in mood and personality. Nausea, confusion and loss of vision are all common signs of a concussion. To be safe, it’s best to get a person who has displayed these symptoms checked out, so that further damage can be ruled out.
Mental health disorders commonly caused by head injury
The research indicates that patients who have suffered a head injury are more likely to develop bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. While other symptoms, like anxiety and changes in personality, might be evident, we can’t always conclude that a mental health condition has formed.
For most sufferers of head injuries, anxiety and depression are the two major things to watch out for. In many cases, simply being aware that these symptoms are normal and often temporary can be helpful.
Getting expert help
In most cases, the symptoms of a head injury will dissipate without any formal or prolonged medical intervention. What really matters for most people is that their condition is monitored, and they are not left alone.
In cases where further treatment is necessary, you might seek to fund it by receiving compensation from a brain injury claim. This will allow you access to superior forms of healthcare, in the private sector.
What can you do?
There are a few steps that everyone can take to help deal with mental health disorders. First, it’s worth maintaining your social networks, and talking to other people. Video chat applications like Zoom can be helpful if you are housebound.
Maintaining a physically active lifestyle is also critical. Make regular walking, gardening, or yoga part of your day. You might also seek to pick up new skills and learn things. Even learning a simple new recipe might provide you with a sense of growth – and provide your brain a chance to repair the damage.
