Brain injury news
13/02/2008

Study indicates some confusion between PTSD and brain injuries

A piece of research published in the New England Journal of Medicine has suggested that many American soldiers who have suffered traumatic brain injuries while fighting in Iraq may in fact only be suffering from the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The researchers were surprised to learn that many symptoms typically associated with brain injuries, such as headaches, disorientation and behavioural and memory difficulties, could actually be attributed to the PTSD.

Joseph A. Boscarino, a PTSD expert with the Geisinger Center for Health Research commented, "It isn't the combat exposure or physical injury, it's the PTSD that seems to drive these symptoms. That's a surprise. You would expect they would have these other symptoms related to traumatic brain injury, that maybe they have a permanent injury, but it's explained by whether they have PTSD or depression."

Yet the study has prompted fears that the US military might use its findings to reduce personal injury compensation amounts paid to soldiers. One leading neurology professor commented, "I think if people misunderstand or overextend beyond what this survey shows, they could dismiss true brain injury features as psychological only. It would be a terrible disservice to our military for that to happen."