A study has revealed a link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and traumatic brain injury. Patients in Pennsylvania may like to know that adults who have suffered a brain injury could benefit from better behavioral disorder screenings.
Data from a phone survey of 3,993 Canadian adult residents in Ontario was used in the study, which was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. ADHD is a long-term behavioral disorder distinguished by issues such as difficulty paying attention and impulsive behavior. TBI is trauma to the head resulting in loss of consciousness for at least five minutes, and experts have previously linked it with brain damage that can increase the risk of ADHD.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 11 percent of kids aged 4 to 17 have been diagnosed with the disorder as of 2011, and this figure rises every year. The CDC also reported that about 2.5 million cases of TBI occurred in 2010. Additionally, the World Health Organization estimates that TBI may be the third biggest source of disability and disease worldwide by 2020.
Prior research has suggested that ADHD is linked to TBI experienced during childhood. The co-principal investigator of this more recent study says that the finding suggests that there is a significant link between TBI and ADHD. He added that people with TBI are more than twice as likely to report ADHD symptoms than those who do not have a history of TBI. The co-principal investigator was not surprised because the conditions have similar symptoms, including attention and memory impairment, trouble processing vowels and consonants, and planning and organizing.
People who have received a brain injury as a result of an accident caused by another person may want to consult with an attorney to determine if there is any legal recourse available. In some cases, it may be appropriate to file a personal injury lawsuit that would seek damages from the responsible party.