Sections
Neuropsychiatric Assessment: Introduction | Clinical Assessment: The Biopsychosocial Approach | History Related to the Brain Injury and Recovery
Period | Importance of Collateral History | Current Neuropsychiatric Symptoms | Severe TBI | Signs and Symptoms After TBI | History Before the Injury | Medical History | Medications | Family Psychiatric and Medical History | Social History | Physical Examination | Mental Status Examination and "Bedside" Cognitive
Testing | Rating Scales Assessing Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral
Function | Additional Assessment Tools | Computerized Testing | Conclusion | Key Clinical Points | Recommended Readings | References
Excerpt
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant event
that may result in dramatic alterations in an individual's
cognition, behavior, and emotions. The neuropsychiatric manifestations
of such an injury depend on several factors: 1) preexisting variables
such as the patient's personality and temperament before
the injury, family psychiatric history, and previous psychiatric,
medical, and neurological history; 2) the patient's psychosocial,
economic, and vocational status at the time of injury; 3) the type,
location, and severity of the brain injury; 4) the emotional and
psychological responses of the individual to the TBI-mediated disturbances
in cognition and behavior; 5) the impact of such changes on personal
and professional roles and relationships, especially those involving
the family; and 6) the interplay between TBI-related impairments
and community barriers and supports. The multiple variables that
result in neurobehavioral disturbances subsequent to TBI require
a comprehensive and integrated approach to data collection, diagnostic
formulation, and treatment planning.