PREVALENCE OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN PSYCHIATRIC AND NONPSYCHIATRIC SUBJECTS

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its sequelae may impact the expressio n and treatment of psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of TBI in psy chiatric patients is unknown and investigations in the general populat ion are limited. This study examined the prevalence of TBI with loss o f consciousness in mental health setting patients (n = 231), general h ospital and university staff and students (n = 534) and non-psychiatri c medical clinical patients (n = 59). The Traumatic Brain Injury Quest ionnaire was used to assess TBI. A greater percentage of psychiatric p atients reported TBI than medical patients or staff and students. Trau matic brain injuries were typically mild-moderate, medical assistance was frequently sought and use of alcohol and drugs was reported in a m inority of TBI incidents. Multiple injuries were most common in psychi atric patients. The percentage of medical patients and staff and stude nts reporting TBI was similar to previous research. The greater percen tage of psychiatric patients reporting TBI indicates the need to asses s TBI in this population. The role of TBI in the emergence, expression and treatment outcome of psychiatric disorders and the risk factors t hat leave psychiatric patients vulnerable to TBI should be further exa mined.