According to the findings of an important new study, teenagers who suffer from head injuries and concussions may be more likely to experience emotional side effects like anxiety and depression. Researchers from the University of Kentucky in Lexington found in their research that teens who suffered concussions also took, on average, seven to ten days longer to recover from the head injury, compared to older adults. If you have suffered a serious head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a Georgia car accident or another type of accident, contact our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak today to explore your possible compensation options.
Emotional Symptoms Linked to Concussions
In the study, which was presented last week at a conference hosted by the American Academy of Neurology, the researchers examined 40 athletes between the ages of 12 and 17 who sustained concussions. Twenty-two of the study participants exhibited emotional symptoms of the head injury, including aggression, anxiety, depression apathy, frequent mood swings, irritability and excessive emotional reactions. While most people recover from a concussion injury within one week, the study authors found that teenagers experienced concussion symptoms for an average of 37 days. They also found that 23% of teens who exhibited emotional symptoms following a concussion experienced a sensitivity to light, and 14% experienced a sensitivity to noise.
Long-Term Health Risks of Concussion Injuries
This research comes amid growing concerns about the long-term effects of concussions and head injuries among youths. According to a recent report compiled by the National Academies of Science, teen athletes are at a greater risk of suffering a serious brain injury if they return to play sooner than recommended, following a concussion injury. Prior studies have found a connection between concussion complications in children and an increased risk of being diagnosed with depression. A study published in 2013 found that white matter in the brains of children who experienced concussions continued to change for months after symptoms of the concussion dissipated.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Although this report focuses on athletics-related head injuries in particular, concussions may also be diagnosed in teens involved in serious car accidents, pedestrian accidents and other types of injury-causing accidents in Georgia. If you or your child has suffered a concussion or head injury from a car accident in Atlanta, Marietta, or elsewhere in Georgia, consult our reputable attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak today. Our law firm is located in Atlanta, and our personal injury lawyers have years of experience protecting the rights of head injury victims and their families throughout the state of Georgia.
Source: http://www.hngn.com/articles/15911/20131026/children-who-have-experienced-traumatic-brain-injuries-4-times-more-likely-to-be-depressed.htm
