In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to share a set of statistics from an eye-opening report published in JAMA Network Open :
- Approximately 15% to 30% of individuals with a history of concussion will present with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS)
- Studies show that people with PPCS have four-fold greater odds of experiencing depressive symptoms.
These findings, published by researchers from the Bloorview Research Institute in Toronto, Canada, were based on the systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies and 9101 participants, and they should make us all stop and think more closely about the potential impact any concussion can have on mental health.
Concussions, Mental Health and Kids
Concussions affect the brain and with that can come not only physical but mental side effects. One study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that one-third of youth experience post-concussion mental health problems. Further, the mental health problems could persist several years post-injury.
The study reviewed 69 articles from 1980 to June 2020, which looked at close to 90,000 children, aged 0-18, who had concussions. It found that 36.7 percent developed significant levels of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. In addition, 20 percent experienced attention problems and hyperactivity following a concussion.
These findings showed that even after recovering from common physical symptoms of concussions — headache, dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light — mental health symptoms can persist.
2024 Brought More Research Looking at Kids, Concussions and Mental Health
Based on a recent study published in Sports Health that examined concussion symptoms during recovery in children and adolescents, there was a common indicator that stuck out from the results. The research looked at children ages 5-18, and included specific demographics to differentiate between the test subjects: race, sex, learning disabilities and age. Regardless of the age of each subject, a significant percentage of patients with PPCS experienced signs of mental health issues.
In the study, a key predictor of post-concussion mental health issues was pre-existing mental health problems. The study found 29 percent of children with pre-injury mental health diagnoses developed new mental health symptoms post-concussion. And surprisingly, 26 percent of children without a pre-injury mental health diagnosis developed mental health symptoms post-concussion.
A key predictor of post-concussion mental health issues was pre-existing mental health problems. The study found 29 percent of children with pre-injury mental health diagnoses developed a new mental health diagnosis post-concussion. Still, 26 percent of children without a pre-injury mental health diagnosis developed mental health symptoms post-concussion.
MAC Alliance Wellness Recovery Care Plan
Mental health symptoms are a frequent side effect of concussions and need attentive care. For each patient under our concussion recovery care, we ask questions about the patient’s current mental health at every visit and evaluate for any symptoms of anxiety and depression. If symptoms are identified, MAC Alliance can provide referrals for counseling and medical management. In some situations, we also offer referrals for psychiatrists.
If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts and need support, contact National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by texting NAMI to 741-741 for free 24/7 crisis support, click here for a live chat, or call 800-950-6264 Monday through Friday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. ET.
—Reporting by Nicole Schaller, with Christopher Schaller
[POST UPDATED 05/23/23]
[POST UPDATED 05/17/24]
