Traumatic Brain Injury and Behavior: A Practical Approach

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex neurologic and neuropathologic process that may affect the patient's behavior permanently. Clinically, TBI is associated with a wide gamut of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as amnesia, cognitive decline, seizures, attention and concentration deficits, depression, manic behavior, psychosis, hostile and violent behavior, and personality alterations. Therapy and rehabilitative efforts should be designed based on the type of injury and the patient's specific needs. Gaining familiarity with the behavioral disorders outlined in this article and understanding how to identify and treat them plays a significant role in the management of patients with TBI.

Keywords: Behavioral abnormalities; Depression; Mania; Psychosis; Seizures; Sleep-wake disorder; Suicide; Traumatic brain injury.