ABSTRACT
In trying to understand more about her symptoms and increased depression, the author looks toward the greater social context. She finds that depression is a frequent symptom of PTSD, and it is the single most common psychiatric disorder associated with TBI. Depression and TBI symptoms actually combine to construct a vicious cycle. She finds through her research in the first-year post-injury that 20%–40% of TBI survivors suffer from depression. After the first year post-injury, the prevalence increases with time for those with depression. Another significant emotional factor of TBI is the association with suicide risk, which touches her life in this timeframe. Intrusive thoughts of her trauma are evident as nightmares, flashes, images, thoughts and feelings, which she shares.
