Compared to men, women have significantly greater risk of depression after concussion or TBI

By Hannah Hartmann. This article was initially published in the 1/11/24 edition of our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.

According to a news release by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, women are significantly more likely to experience depression following a concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI) when compared to men. Common causes of concussions for females include intimate partner violence, falls, military service, and sports-related concussions. According to study co-author Mani Sandhu, repetitive head injuries and concussions in sports such as women’s soccer (which has the “highest rate of concussions of all contact sports”) may also further increase the risk of developing depression following an injury. The study was presented at the Anesthesiology 2023 annual meeting.

In an article in Contemporary OB/GYN by Celeste Crewson, lead author Isaac Freedman emphasizes that doctors screen for depression in all women patients with a TBI. Freedman further recommends that women should be aware of their elevated risk of depression after TBI, ideally knowing the signs and symptoms of depression. Researchers analyzed nine studies that looked at 360,605 women and 330,759 men who experienced a concussion. They found that 29.3% of these women developed depression after a concussion or other TBI compared to only 21.9% of men. 

Researchers speculate that hormones, lack of social support, socioeconomic status, and inadequate treatment options may contribute to the development of depression following a concussion. However, further research is needed to explore why depression is more common in females.

Preventative measures such as wearing seatbelts while driving and protective equipment during sports can help keep you safe and minimize your chances of sustaining a concussion. Even those who have not previously struggled with mental illness are at an increased risk of developing depression after a concussion. Treatment options such as cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful for managing depression symptoms after a concussion. For more information about this topic and treatments, see our resources on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mental Health, Women and Girls, and Concussions in Youth Sports.