The study, which was carried out by researchers at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, examined adolescents who had suffered a traumatic brain injury (or TBI). The finding: teens who suffered TBIs were more likely to develop mental health issues, like depression. This, in turn, had a significant impact on their behaviour. For example, many attempted suicide, while others bullied other teens. Interestingly, the study showed that teens who suffered a TBI were also more likely to be bullied.
The study also found that teens who suffered a TBI were more likely to use alcohol or marijuana, be prescribed medicaton to treat anxiety and depression, and engage in various anti-social behaviours. These behaviours ranged from stealing a parent’s car to running away from home and being found carrying a dangerous weapon to school.
St. Michael’s Hospital researcher Dr. Gabriela Ilie, a neuropsychologist, says it’s important everyone pay careful attention to a teen’s behaviour after they sustain a serious head injury.
“I think what we’re seeing here is a cry for help,” Ilie said. “What we’re seeing here is a wake-up call. [A] cry for help on their behalf and a wake-up call for us — for parents, for educators, for medical professionals.”
Ilie went on to say that it’s critical for physicians, parents, and educators to open up communication lines with teens after a traumatic brain injury has taken place.
“You want to be vigilant as a parent, you want to be vigilant as a medical professional to screen for potential mental health and behaviour harms in adolescent patients who have had a TBI,” Ilie said.
