Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology

Psychopharmacology Frontal lobe syndrome or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? diagnosis of impulsivity and hyperactivity symptoms after traumatic brain injury and its treatment

Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology 2013; 23: Supplement S166-S166
Read: 743 Published: 20 March 2021

We present a case that was brought by parents after the brain damage and we aimed to present the path we followed during the treatment. A 22-year-old male had a car accident that caused multiple brain damage and compelled him to stay in an intensive care unit. In his history, he was taken to child and adolescent psychiatry clinic and was diagnosed by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to his hyperactivity, risky behavior, difficulty in attention and concentration. After six years of methylphenidate treatment, the patient’s symptoms had decreased and the family considered him as “normal”. However his parents stated that the patient had regressed to his childhood state after the accident. After traumatic brain injury, several cognitive and behavioral damages can occur. The great majority of individuals with a mild injury report cognitive, somatic and emotional problems. Although the majority of individuals report improvement after several weeks of the injury, some individuals may have persistent symptoms that could be attributed to the injury. The pharmacotherapy for treating psychiatric symptoms after brain injury has not been defined clearly. Aripiprazole, a new generation antipsychotic, is a promising alternative for the treatment of conduct problems and mood instabilities, with its cognitive recovery effect.

EISSN 2475-0581