Grant: Operating Grant

Brain injury caused by head trauma can have many consequences for the injured person, as well as for family members and the person's social and professional environment. Quite abruptly, persons with traumatic brain injury need to adapt to new limitations ranging from having problems with walking to having trouble to think efficiently and with maintaining healthy relationships. These adaptations can be very challenging for many individuals, and feelings of discouragement, anxiety and depression may arise. Unfortunately, depression becomes a significant problem for a large proportion of these patients, and this condition can complicate the rehabilitation and social reintegration processes by diminishing the person's level of energy, motivation, and hope for the future. This research project aims at understanding how depression develops during the first few years after a brain injury, paying close attention to factors such as stressful life events, coping strategies, anxiety levels, sleep and fatigue problems, use of alcohol or drugs to cope with life challenges, and how people are supported by their spouses, families and friends. We also seek to obtain a portrait of the impact of depression after TBI and to verify whether people who suffer from clinically significant depression are receiving adequate treatment for it, and what kind of help is available to them (e.g. medication, psychotherapy, self-initiated strategies). By understanding the factors leading to depression after brain injury, we hope to be able to devise not only effective treatments, but also prevention strategies that we can put into place at the appropriate time after the injury. Indeed, because these people are faced with many challenges, helping them to keep a positive outlook on life, to better accept their limitations, to use their strengths to solve their problems and to better manage their stress and energy should help them reintegrate their community and improve their quality of life.