Call Now For Your
Free Consultation

Traumatic Brain Injury And PTSD Often Go Hand In Hand

Traumatic Brain Injury And PTSD Often Go Hand In Hand

We often hear of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) discussed as separate health issues. Though these two are indeed separate conditions, they often coincide and can cause a perfect storm for a patient. So if you or a loved one has had an injury to the head, you need to be aware of how TBI and PTSD can be interrelated.

Traumatic Brain Injury Vs. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Let’s first look at a brief definition of these conditions to see how they are distinct from each other. TBI is a neurological injury caused by a physical blow or jolt to the head, while PTSD is a mental disorder that can develop after a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience.

People with TBI do not necessarily end up developing PTSD. In fact, many cases of TBI are mild and can quickly heal by themselves or with simple treatments like ice packs. A small, temporary concussion is an example of mild TBI.

Likewise, PTSD is not necessarily caused by a physical trauma to the brain. A person may develop this disorder even without getting hit in the head, just as long as the experience is distressing enough to affect his or her mental health.

How TBI And PTSD Are Connected

The symptoms of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder often overlap. Most common of these overlapping symptoms are:

  • Difficulty in cognitive functions (thinking, memory, mental focus)
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

These two conditions may also share the same cause – that is, a single event may result in both physical and mental trauma to a person. Car accidents, assaults, and shootings are some examples of such events. A study among returning military veterans showed that those with mild TBI were 44 percent more at-risk for PTSD.

What This Means For Accident Victims

After an accident, it is normal to feel dazed or bewildered. But if your head was struck or violently rocked back and forth during the incident, and if there are lingering symptoms of head injury afterwards, it is crucial to consult a doctor. You may have a traumatic brain injury, and your experience may have left you vulnerable to PTSD.

If the accident was a result of someone else’s actions, you may also be entitled to compensation. This monetary relief could ease the necessary expenses that come with the proper diagnosis and treatment of your injury. Let the reliable lawyers at Willens & Baez help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Request a Free Consultation

Call: 312-957-4166

Free Consultation. No Fee Until We Win. We’ll Even Come To You.

Why Choose Willens & Baez

Millions in Case Verdicts & Settlements

Over the past two decades, Mr. Willens and his team of Chicago personal injury lawyers have been instrumental in obtaining numerous million-dollar-plus recoveries on behalf of clients in a wide variety of injury cases. One of the personal injury verdicts he was involved in was recognized by The National Law Journal as one of the Top 100 Verdicts in the country in the year in which it was tried. One of the verdicts he helped secure set a state record.

Share:

Williens-Injury-Law-Offices-Chicago-Personal-Injury-Lawyers

Free Case Evaluation

Skip to content