PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE PATIENT WITH AFFECTIVE AND PSYCHOTIC FEATURES

Affective and psychotic disorders may occur after traumatic brain inju ry. These symptoms may arise from the direct effect of the trauma on t he brain, from the side effects or withdrawal from drugs and medicatio ns, and from the emotional reaction to the event. Patients with TBI ar e especially sensitive to the side effects of drugs that act on the ce ntral nervous system. When appropriate guidelines are followed, psycho pharmacological intervention alleviates these symptoms, enhances rehab ilitation, and avoids impairment of arousal and attention.