title: Mental Health Implications of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Children and Youth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of death and disability in children and adolescents. Psychopathology is an established risk factor for, and a frequent consequence of, TBI. This paper reviews the literature relating psychopathology and TBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Selective literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The risk of sustaining a TBI is increased by pre-existing psychopathology (particularly ADHD and aggression) and psychosocial adversity. Even among individuals with no psychopathology prior to the injury, TBI is frequently followed by mental illness especially ADHD, personality change, conduct disorder and, less frequently, by post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders. The outcome of TBI can be partially predicted by pre-injury adjustment and injury severity, but less well by age at injury. Few individuals receive treatment for mental illness following TBI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TBI has substantial relevance to mental health professionals and their clinical practice. Available evidence, while limited, indicates that the risk for TBI in children and adolescents is increased in the presence of several, potentially treatable mental health conditions and that the outcome of TBI involves a range of mental health problems, many of which are treatable. Prevention and management efforts targeting psychiatric risks and outcomes are an urgent priority. Child and adolescent mental health professionals can play a critical role in the prevention and treatment of TBI through advocacy, education, policy development and clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Senior Scientist, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Research Institute, Staff Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto Dominion Bank Financial Group Chair in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Russell James
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Schachar
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Project Coordinator, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Laura Seohyun
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Senior Scientist, Program Neurosciences and Mental Health, Research Institute, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dennis
keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; children and adolescents; mental illness; traumatic brain injury