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Posttraumatic Amnesia and Recall of a Traumatic Event Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Received May 4, 2000; revised December 8, 2000; accepted January 17, 2001. From the Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Science Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5. Address correspondence to Dr. Feinstein. E-mail: ant.feinstein{at}utoronto.ca

The relationship between posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was examined in 282 outpatients at a mean of 53 days after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patients were assessed for TBI severity, intrusive and avoidant PTSD-type symptoms, and psychological distress, and were stratified into four comparison groups by duration of PTA. Levels of PTSD-type symptoms and psychological distress did not differ significantly between groups. Even patients with PTA >1 week reported intrusive and avoidant PTSD-type symptoms. However, when patients were stratified into those with PTA of <1 hour or >1 hour, the former were more likely to report such symptoms. TBI patients with brief PTA are more likely to experience PTSD-type reactions, but severe TBI with prolonged PTA is not incompatible with such reactions in a subset of patients. Possible mechanisms that could account for this finding are discussed.

Key Words: Traumatic Brain Injury • Posttraumatic Amnesia • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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