bubble_chart Overview

Mental disorders caused by brain trauma commonly present in two types of patients. One type is primarily characterized by persistent psychological functional deficits, such as memory impairment; the other is more commonly marked by emotional disorders and asthenic states, which are often overlooked due to their subtle symptoms but can lead to lasting functional disabilities. In addition to organic factors, an individual's neurotype, constitutional traits, and psychosocial factors post-trauma also play a role in the onset and progression of the disease.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

Patients with acute traumatic brain injury may experience varying degrees of consciousness impairment, ranging from confusion to unconsciousness. During the recovery of consciousness, symptoms such as tension, fear, restlessness, incoherent speech, disorientation, and terrifying visual hallucinations may occur, known as traumatic delirium. After regaining consciousness, patients often cannot recall the events surrounding the injury, a condition referred to as post-traumatic amnesia. The inability to remember events from a period immediately before the injury is called retrograde amnesia. After the acute phase or following an intermittent period, patients may experience headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory decline, nervousness, and autonomic dysfunction. These symptoms generally persist for several months before recovery. A small number of patients with pre-existing personality defects or compounded by psychosocial factors may experience prolonged or unresolved symptoms.

Some severe cases of traumatic brain injury may gradually develop into a dementia syndrome. This is characterized by significant declines in memory, comprehension, and judgment, sluggish thinking, emotional apathy, mental fatigue, and lack of initiative. Some patients may also exhibit personality changes, manifesting as emotional instability, irritability, reduced self-control, eccentric temper, selfishness, and loss of motivation. Personality changes are more commonly observed in patients with damage to the left hemisphere, particularly when the frontal and temporal lobe structures are affected.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

Diagnosis is not difficult based on medical history and examination. Early treatment and long-term treatment planning are essential after brain trauma. The first step is to assess the extent of the patient's physical and social functional impairments, as well as understand psychological and social factors, followed by appropriate intervention and psychotherapy. For post-traumatic neurosis-like symptoms, medications such as pyritinol can be used. For patients with agitation or excitement, short-term antipsychotics like perphenazine or chlorpromazine may be administered. Behavioral therapy and educational training are the main approaches for personality disorders.