Relationship of TBI to Psychiatric Disorders in Veterans and Service Members: A Systematic Review

Course overview

Both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological disorders (PTSD, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and substance use) are common in Veterans and service members. This study sought to clarify the possible relationship between deployment related mild TBI (mTBI) and common psychological disorders, as well as implications for treatment. Existing research that met standards for scientific rigor was analyzed. The authors concluded that individuals with mTBI are more likely to have a number of psychological disorders, and that the treatment modalities studied all demonstrated improvement in pre-post study designs, although none was clearly superior. The authors emphasize the need for more detailed study, particularly through the use of randomized, controlled treatment studies.