EVALUATION OF BRAIN INJURY RELATED BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES IN COMMUNITY-MENTAL-HEALTH-CENTERS

As a result of improved emergency trauma services, more individuals su ffering a traumatic brain injury are surviving. Unfortunately, most of these survivors suffer chronic neuropsychiatric sequelae related to b oth the brain damage and the psychosocial impact of the injury on self -esteem, self-image, primary role, and vocational function. Current co mmunity supports are often inadequate to deal with the complex array o f neurologic and psychiatric difficulties. This article outlines commo n features of brain injury, explores the link between these features a nd the common neuropsychiatric sequelae of brain injury, and suggests some principles helpful in the evaluation of the behaviorally challeng ed brain injured patient.