Depression is a common sequela of head trauma. Approximately half of all individuals with a cranial injury will experience depression within the first year, regardless of the severity of the injury. The ailment is characterized clinically as a mood disorder, often associated with intense feelings of sadness. However, depression is more complex than mood disorders, as many mental and bodily complaints-such as insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, appetite changes, aches and pains, and lack of interest in

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... reviously enjoyable activities-are associated with depression. These intense feelings, particularly when combined with despair and hopelessness, can lead to suicide, a dreaded potential complication of depression. Recent studies of traumatic brain injuries have identified specific biochemical and structural factors that can cause depression. From a biochemical standpoint, a brain injury can trigger changes in key neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.