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Traumatic brain injury

What is traumatic brain injury and PTSD?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an alteration in brain function, or other brain pathology, caused by an external force. Brain injury can have severe consequences on physical, cognitive, and affective functioning and may lead to long-lasting limitations. Both civilian and military patients with TBI can develop PTSD, even when a person cannot recall the details of the traumatic event.

What is the evidence for traumatic brain injury and PTSD?

Moderate quality evidence found the prevalence of PTSD after a TBI was around 24%. Rates were higher in males than females, in samples with TBI than other physical injuries, in military samples exposed to a blast than civilians exposed to a motor vehicle accident, and in studies from the USA than other countries. There have been no differences found in the rates of PTSD in people with a mild versus moderate-severe TBI.

August 2021

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Last updated at: 12:51 am, 26th October 2021
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Fact Sheet Technical Commentary
Tags:  Traumatic brain injury

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