CMAJ study finds patients who experienced physical trauma are 40% more likely to suffer mental health issues

An analysis in CMAJ shows patients in Ont. were 40% more likely to be hospitalized for depression, anxiety or alcohol abuse disorder after a trauma than before the incident. Suicide rates post-trauma increased six-fold, to 70 per 100,000. Researchers admit that it's possible that the patients had a latent, undiagnosed mental health issue before their physical trauma, but that it's more likely that major injuries can lead to mental illness due to chronic pain, financial difficulties or a loss of independence.