Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, giving rise to a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with great functional impairments, chronic disability and poor quality of life. Depending on diagnostic criteria, 20-90% of victims of TBI develop at least one neuropsychiatric manifestation in the first month, and about 40% present at least three symptoms during three months, with higher incidence in females. Survivors of TBI are at increased risk for development of severe, long-term psychiatric disorders. The aetiology of these disturbances remains unclear.

Objectives

To review current knowledge on the neuropsychiatric consequences associated with TBI.

Methods

Non-systematic review of literature through search on PubMed/MEDLINE database for publications up to 2020, following the terms “traumatic brain injury” and “neuropsychiatry”.

Results

Although the experience of neuropsychiatric symptoms may be temporary and may resolve in the acute period, many patients with TBI can experience psychopathology that is persistent or that develops in the post-acute period, regardless of injury severity. These symptoms can involve personality changes, psychosis, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, maladaptive social behaviours, poor disability adjustment, reduced coping skills and cognitive impairment. Evidence remains insufficient to conclude the role of TBI-related neuropathological consequences in the development of post-TBI neuropsychiatric disorder. Non-organic factors are also implicated in its generation and maintenance.

Conclusions

Neuropsychiatric sequelae are common following TBI. Several of these syndromes are amenable to treatment. Further investigations are required to better understand the mechanistic aetiology of these conditions and the effectiveness of therapeutic modalities.

Introduction

Psychiatric rehabilitation promotes recovery in individuals with mental disabilities. Its mission is to engage patients and families or caregivers in a collaborative treatment process. The vision of recovery is more likely to become a reality when patients and families are actively involved in treatment. Numerous factors have converged during the past decades to facilitate development and refinement of evidence-based approaches for strengthening families coping with mental disorders.

Objectives

To review current knowledge on the importance of involving families in psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation, addressing effectiveness of family interventions, role of family coping skills in neutralizing stress and vulnerability, and family burden of mental illness.

Methods

Non-systematic review of literature through search on PubMed/MEDLINE database for publications up to 2020. Textbooks were consulted.

Results

Given the unpredictability of major mental disorders, families assume responsibility for extensive monitoring and supervision of a severely and chronically mentally ill relative.

Clinical, social, family and economic benefits are achieved by adding psychosocial family interventions to a comprehensive array of services required by patients. Family interventions are not stand-alone modalities: they are coordinated with pharmacotherapy, illness management, crisis intervention, clinical case management, skills training and supportive services. Family interventions show benefits, such as fewer psychotic/affective episodes of exacerbation or relapse by the patient, reduced hospitalizations and improved family morale and less emotional burden.

Conclusions

The new and effective family interventions do not stigmatize families as being ‘sick’ or in need of therapy to ‘straighten them out’. Family interventions are viewed as conferring added therapeutic protection to the patient and relatives.