Examining the Relationship Between Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries and Development of Mental Illness Disorders in a Mid-Term Follow-up Period.

Objective: The sequalae of mild concussions continue to emerge with increased awareness in sports-related injuries. This study aimed to quantify the number of patients who are affected by a mental illness within 3 yrs of a concussion and identify whether demographic differences exist that may influence a mental illness diagnosis.

Design: Using a nationwide database, data were queried for a diagnosis of concussion, capturing patients aged 18-45 yrs with no previous mental illness, and then identified if these patients were diagnosed with a mental illness within 3 yrs of their concussion. The mental illnesses specifically chosen for this study included depression, anxiety, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar, and schizophrenia.

Results: Within 3 yrs after a concussion, 48% of patients were later diagnosed with a mental illness. All of the mental illnesses this study chose to evaluate were present in a higher proportion of patients after a concussion than the general population.

Conclusions: The mechanism between concussions and mental illness remains unclear. A large proportion of patients who experience a concussion are later diagnosed with a mental illness within 3 yrs. Patients with a history of a previous concussion may benefit from screening for the development of a mental illness.