The brain is essential to every function we perform. It controls how we think and feel, but also keeps us alive through breathing, hormones, and circulation. Our brain is very much the source of who we are as individuals, and any damage inflicted on it can cause severe adverse effects. For people in the military who are plunged into environments where they may experience violent and traumatic events, there is an even closer link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries. However, anyone, from children to the elderly, can develop PTSD if they are exposed to life-threatening trauma.
Brain injuries and PTSD tend to overlap in symptoms, making it difficult to sometimes separate the two. Some of their shared symptoms include:
- Cognitive difficulties
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
In enduring the traumatic event that causes the brain injury, an individual may develop PTSD. It is estimated that up to 35% of returning veterans with a mild brain injury also suffer from PTSD. Although the brain injury itself may not directly cause PTSD, there is a link between the two and, together, they create a terrible storm within the person suffering from them.
In a 2011 study conducted by Dr. Richard Bryant, findings revealed that mild traumatic brain injuries in returning veterans increased the risk for PTSD by 44%. Other injuries increased their risk by only 16%.
At Cavanagh Sorich Law Group, our Chicago brain injury attorneys believe that you should not have to pay for another’s negligent mistakes. We will help you pursue compensation for your life-changing injuries. Catastrophic injuries such as those that impact the brain often require costly medical treatments and lifelong care, which is why it is crucial to hire an experienced attorney with a high success rate. We have recovered over $450 million on behalf of our clients.
Call us today for a free case evaluation at (844) 515-2223.