A recent comprehensive study sheds light on the intricate relationship between traumatic brain injury or TBI and suicide. Published in JAMA Network Open, the findings reveal how traumatic brain injuries (TBI), mental health diagnoses, and suicide rates are interconnected among military veterans
. The research, involving over 860,000 individuals, unveils alarming statistics, suggesting that veterans with a history of TBI experience accelerated mental health issues and a heightened risk of suicide following deployment.
According to the study, veterans who encounter a TBI during their service are found to take their lives approximately 21% sooner after deployment compared to those without TBI history.
Moreover, individuals with TBI have shown a substantial increase in new mental health diagnoses, with instances of substance use disorder witnessing a staggering 100% rise among veterans with TBI, in contrast to a mere 14.5% increase in those without a brain injury.
Dr. Lisa Brenner, the lead author of the study and director of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, emphasizes the significance of the longitudinal narrative unveiled by the study.
By examining the trajectory of mental health, physical health, and experiences over time, the research encourages a comprehensive perspective on exposures, risk factors, treatment, and prevention strategies, not only for military personnel but also for civilians.
This extensive investigation into traumatic brain injury and suicide, considered one of the largest and longest on the subject, delved into health data from over 860,000 US Army soldiers returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It revealed that nearly 12.6% of these soldiers experienced a TBI during their service, with 2695 ultimately dying by suicide through the end of 2018.
Intriguingly, the study demonstrates not only how TBI increases suicide risk but also a strong correlation between TBI and subsequent mental health issues. Veterans with a history of TBI are more likely to develop new-onset diagnoses of anxiety, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use, and substance use disorder (SUD).
The data suggests a 67.7% increase in mood disorders, a 31.9% increase in alcohol use disorder, and a striking 100% surge in cases of substance use disorder among veterans with TBI.
While the incidence of suicide was slightly higher among individuals with TBI, the study found a significantly shorter period between TBI and suicide compared to those without TBI. The findings indicate that those with TBI, who also received two or more new mental health diagnoses, were more likely to commit suicide at an accelerated rate.
Particularly concerning were veterans with TBI and a new SUD diagnosis, as they took their own lives 62.8% faster than those without a history of TBI.The study’s results hold implications for a range of medical professionals when it comes to addressing TBI and suicide.
Dr. Brenner underscores the importance of mental health practitioners identifying patients with brain injuries and providing evidence-based treatment for mental health conditions while addressing TBI-related symptoms. However, the authors urge caution when extrapolating these findings to civilian populations, as the complexities of TBI’s impact on mental health may differ.