New Studies Show Traumatic Brain Injury Doubles the Risk of Suicide

June 6, 2019

Cause for the Risk of Suicide
Suicide Warning Signs
Calculating the Damages of TBI

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the common types of injuries that can occur in a motor vehicle crash. It’s an injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain caused by bumps, blows, or jolts to the head following a serious accident.

However, not all blows to the head result in a brain injury. The severity of these injuries may range from mild to severe, but most TBI that occur are only mild, commonly known as concussion.

Still, deaths from TBI is still unavoidable. Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 30% of all injury-related deaths were caused by traumatic brain injuries, with 14% being a direct result of automobile accidents.

Those who survive these injuries deal with the effects that could either last for a few days or the rest of their lives.

Traumatic brain injuries don’t mend like broken bones. It can leave a victim’s life irrevocably changed with constant struggles beyond physical pain such as with their relationships, work, mental capacity, and quality of life that may drive some to suicide.

Those with TBI – including mild ones— are more likely at a 75 percent higher risk of suicide compared to the general population. The Danish health and death records suggest that mild TBI is linked to twice the suicide risk to those with a skull fracture without traumatic brain injury.

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Cause for the Risk of Suicide

TBI can affect the brain’s functions, which can cause psychological problems such as poor memory, planning, increase stress, greater difficulty with managing relationships and their own emotions.

Some people may become more impulsive, have difficulty with considering other perspectives, or think differently about things. Overall, life would not be the same for most TBI patients. They either face loss or threat of loss.

These and other factors would contribute to the depression and suicidal thoughts in people with TBI, especially without the appropriate support from their loved ones.

Bad news about prognosis
Employment issues
Frustration over tasks
Holiday times
Lack of connection
Lack of support
Lack of resources
Loneliness
Social anxiety

For these people who are enduring emotional distress or disability, suicide becomes an appealing solution or at least an escape to what they feel to be an unsolvable problem.

Suicide Warning Signs

Some post-TBI individuals may experience chronic suicidal ideation. Although it might not be apparent immediately after TBI. Some people might experience it immediately, or it might take days, weeks, or months to materialize.

Both the survivors and their family members and caregivers need to be educated about the risk of suicide and how to recognize the signs to be aware when there’s a need for a prompt intervention.

Warning signs such as threatening to hurt or kill themselves, looking for methods to kill themselves or even talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide are the most alarming signs that need immediate action and safety measures.

Other signs of a person wanting to commit suicide include:

Feeling hopeless and trapped
Increased use of alcohol or drug
Dramatic changes in mood
Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
Anxiety
Unable to sleep or sleeping too much
Anger and rage
Recklessness
Given up

The most proven method of reducing suicide risk is to eliminate access to immediately lethal substance or material at home, continued support from family members, and the use of mental health resources.

Although the effects of these brain injuries to the victim are extensive, it cannot be physically seen. It’s essential to speak to your doctor if you notice any behavioral or physical changes following a significant blow to the head.

It’s also best to have a thorough neurological examination or a brain imaging scan to reveal any damage to the brain’s surface and maintain all medical records and documents regarding these injuries. It would also help to document the effects of the injury on your daily life through a journal or diary.

Also, if you need more information about the neurological affects of TBI’s injuries please click here.

Calculating the Damages of TBI

But even with all of that, calculating the damages for these types of injuries can be tricky.

You may want to talk to a law firm that has experience with Traumatic Brain Injuries, like our skilled lawyers from The Brown Firm can be consulted for any legal advice and help you get the compensation you deserve.