Psychiatric Comorbidity and Psychosocial Problems Among Treatment-Seeking Veterans With a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs) are common in sports, military service, and daily life. Limited data are available on the mental health needs of veterans with a history of MTBI who are seeking care in the community. The purpose of this article is to describe the mental health and psychosocial difficulties of a group of treatment-seeking veterans with a history of MTBI. The authors examined psychiatric comorbidities, psychosocial problems, and symptom burden in a cross-sectional sample of 129 treatment-seeking post-9/11 U.S. service members and veterans who reported a history of MTBI during a mental health evaluation at a nonprofit specialty outpatient clinic. The most common clinician-rated comorbid psychiatric diagnoses included posttraumatic stress disorder (N=113; 88%), major depressive disorder (N=57; 44%), alcohol use or abuse (N=56; 43%), and substance use or abuse (N=28; 22%). In addition, these service members and veterans endorsed high rates of anger and aggression, hazardous drinking, bodily pain, sleep difficulties, concentration problems, unemployment, and difficulties with family functioning. These clinical data suggest that post-9/11 service members and veterans who present with a history of MTBI represent a group of people who are highly symptomatic, have multiple comorbid conditions, and are struggling with multiple psychiatric, behavioral, and psychosocial difficulties. Clinical services designed to evaluate and treat these veterans should consider careful integration of mental health screening and services.