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. 2015 Jul 1:11:1601-7.
doi: 10.2147/NDT.S80457. eCollection 2015.

Diagnostic and treatment challenges in traumatic brain injury patients with severe neuropsychiatric symptoms: insights into psychiatric practice

Margo D Lauterbach  1 , Paula L Notarangelo  1 , Stephen J Nichols  2 , Kristy S Lane  1 , Vassilis E Koliatsos  1
Affiliations

Diagnostic and treatment challenges in traumatic brain injury patients with severe neuropsychiatric symptoms: insights into psychiatric practice

Margo D Lauterbach et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. .

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes a variety of neuropsychiatric problems that pose diagnostic and treatment challenges for providers. In this report, we share our experience as a referral neuropsychiatry program to assist the general psychiatrist when adult TBI patients with psychiatric symptoms present for evaluation and treatment. We completed a retrospective study of patients with moderate-to-severe TBI and severe neuropsychiatric impairments. We collected information on demographics, nature of injury, symptomatology, diagnoses, and treatments. Data analysis indicates that mood stabilization was a key concern, often requiring aggressive pharmacological management. Cognitive dysfunction was a problem for the majority of patients, but was only medicated in a third, due to poor efficacy or behavioral side effects. The co-occurrence of multiple TBI-related symptoms and diagnoses in this patient cohort emphasizes the need for individualized psychopharmacological approaches and interventions.

Keywords: neurobehavioral; traumatic brain injury; treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagnosis utilized in sample (n=60). Abbreviations: P, personality change; C, cognitive; M, mood; X, psychotic.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Frequency of neuropsychiatric symptoms (n=60).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Pharmacological interventions (n=60).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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