ABSTRACT
Traumatic brain injury appears to affect all groups of people. Thus, anxiety and mood disorders after traumatic brain injury do not necessarily present in young adults only. While the bulk of patients who come to our attention are young adults (especially males) of working age, many are also much younger, or, indeed, older (see also Chapter One). These patients are most likely to have unique needs. Furthermore, there are many other vulnerable and sometimes “hidden” populations. For example, refugees, who may have come from environments with very high levels of violence, or from war-torn countries, are possibly more likely to have sustained a traumatic brain injury. Poor countries may have less developed roads and infrastructure, perhaps increasing the risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury while travelling. These countries generally, but not always, tend also to have less developed healthcare systems, with patients who have sustained a traumatic brain injury accordingly having less access to appropriate acute care and post-acute rehabilitation. Moreover, residents of these countries may struggle economically, another potent factor to consider in 190brain injury rehabilitation. These are just a few of the potential special populations or situations clinicians and researchers need to know more about.
