The prevalence of traumatic brain injury, comorbid anxiety and other psychiatric disorders in an outpatient child and adolescent mental health service

Abstract

Background: A history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is prevalent in children and adolescents within the health system, which may be accompanied with higher rates of poor mental health outcomes including anxiety and other psychiatric disorders.Aims: To explore rates of TBI and associated anxiety and other psychiatric diagnoses in children and adolescents aged 5-18 years within the mental health system.Methods: Participants were recruited from an outpatient mental health service in Canterbury, New Zealand. The Ohio State University TBI Identification method was utilised to ascertain TBI history. Anxiety and other diagnoses were identified by a mental health file review.Results: Over 28% of c..