Relationships among postconcussional-type symptoms, depression, and anxiety in neurologically normal young adults and victims of mild brain injury

This study investigated the relationship between self-reports of postconcus sional symptoms, depression, and anxiety in neurologically normal young adu lts and recovered victims of mild head injuries (MHI). The participants wer e 496 young adults with no history of MHI or depression, 56 neurologically normal individuals with clinical depression, and 40 people with history of MHI. All completed the Beaumont Postconcussional Index (BPCI), Beck Depress ion Inventory-ii (BDI-II), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Groups wer e compared on frequency and severity of postconcussional symptoms, as well as general symptoms. Analysis revealed high correlations between scores on the Postconcussional Index (PCI) and the BDI-II (r = 0.68) as well as betwe en PCI and BAI (r = 0.64). Correlations between BDI-II, BAI, and the Genera l Symptom Index (GSI) were modest, but significant (r = 0.44 and 0.48, resp ectively). MHI participants reported minimally higher scores on the PCI tha n the normative group. However, depressed individuals exhibited substantial ly higher endorsement of PCI symptoms and modestly higher endorsement of GS I symptoms than either the normative or MHI groups. The potential role that depression can have in producing, exacerbating, and maintaining PCS-like s ymptoms must be considered when evaluating and treating victims of MHI. (C) 2001 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Elsevier Science Lt d.