Traumatic Brain Injury Increases the Likelihood of Suicide
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be very dangerous. However, recent studies are reporting that brain injuries can also make people a danger to themselves. A study published by University of Utah National Center for Veterans' Studies reports that multiple brain injuries, even minor ones, can lead to a person having increased suicidal thoughts. This is especially true amongst military personnel where suicide rates are already much higher than their civilian counterparts. However, the likelihood of suffering a single or multiple brain injuries is considerably higher amongst military personnel also.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among military personnel. In 2008, suicide claimed the lives of more than 100,000 service men and women. As sad as these numbers are, they are tragically on the rise. The 2008 numbers are a sharp 50% increase from 2001, the study finds.
Experts associated with the study opine that the increase in suicide is linked to an increase in psychiatric illness in service men and women during that same period. Also, 2001 is one is when military operations began in Afghanistan, following the attacks on 9/11, and military operation in Iraq began in 2003. These two large-scale military operations have a big effect on those numbers. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have been one of the leading injuries suffered by veterans of those conflicts. Soldiers that suffer from TBI are sadly more likely to take their own life, says the study.
The study was conduct by examining more than 150 military personnel and a number of private contractors that were working in combat zones in Iraq. Each test subject was in the military hospital recovering from a brain injury. Seven percent (7%) of those tested, with a first time brain injury, reported that they had suicidal thoughts. However, twenty-two percent (22%) of those tested with multiple brain injuries reported that they had suicidal thoughts.
Soldiers are not they only people that suffer brain injuries. Although this particular study only focused on a data sample comprised of military personnel, its finding have far reaching consequences. Unfortunately, injuries to the brain. Two million TBI's are suffered every year. Also, TBI account for more than 1/3 of all injury related deaths in the United States. The sobering statistic is also about 1/3 of TBI suffered by non-military personnel are caused by car accidents. The costs and treatment for a TBI can be staggering; this coupled with its shown likelihood of increasing suicidal thoughts makes them extremely dangerous. Brain injuries must be taken very seriously. Many brain injuries are not reported and go untreated. This is a huge mistake. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered a TBI you need to see a doctor.
Also, if you or a loved one has suffered a TBI as a result of a car accident, you need to contact a brain injury attorney immediately. Our experienced car wreck attorneys are ready and waiting for your call. Initial consultations are both free and confidential. We understand that this very sensitive issue- and we want to help you possibly recover for your injuries. Please call us at the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA: (727)-451-6900.