How Concussion can triple the Risk of Suicide

Perhaps you’ve hit your head really hard. You ice it, rest, and you think your fine. Or maybe you’ve suffered from a severe concussion, you feel dizzy for a few days and the symptoms diminish gradually. Is that the end of the risk? Studies show that a person who has had a concussion is triple the risk for suicide.

Even mild injuries to the head can have long-term risks. Even though you may seem fine physically after a short period of time after an injury, lingering damage to neurons in the brain (skull) over-time can lead to depression, insomnia and even harmful behaviors. 

There has been lots of research and studies on the harmful effect of brain trauma and injury. But there is still many aspects that medical professionals are not aware of. Ultimately, it is vital to pay close attention to behaviors of someone who has had a concussion or numerous traumas to the head. 

Suicide is not a direct risk factor for someone who has had a concussion. However suicide-prone behaviors need to be monitored after-the-fact. The brain is so complex, we have no way of defining and detecting specific problems before they occur. 

In the meantime, doctors and family members of individuals who have suffered from concussions should be watching for warming signs, similar to depression, substance abuse, mood swings, etc.

Everyone needs to educate themselves about the risks of suicide in people with a traumatic brain injury, especially if you’ve have a loved one hurt. A doctor needs to be notified immediately if they see changes in behavior or mood, including irritability, loss of happiness, and or loss of hope.

Family members and doctors need to ask clarifying questions to understand what is really going on and to get help for their loved one sooner rather than later. 

It is crucial that patients who have suffered from previous head trauma make the injury part of their medical record. This is so doctors in the future can have an accurate understanding of that individual’s medical history. Visit Southwest Brain Performance Centers for details!