PSYCHOTIC REACTIONS IN THE LATE RECOVERY PERIOD FOLLOWING BRAIN INJURY
JOHN A. AITA M. D., PH. D., and
RALPH M. REITAN B. A.
In the observation of 500 cases of craniocerebral injury evacuated to an army neurologic center several months after injury, 4 cases of psychosis appeared. These are described in detail.
Two cases may be classified as schizophrenic reactions in which brain injury played a secondary rôle. At the most, the experience of, trauma, brain damage, and resulting state of deficit served as an aggravating factor. Follow-up study revealed neither patient able to pursue steady or gainful occupation.
Two cases may be classified as prolonged, primary traumatic psychotic reactions (confabulatory-amnesic type) in which brain damage appeared to be the outstanding causative factor. Follow-up study revealed that both patients had been able to return to simple, but steady and gainful, occupational adjustments despite some intellectual impairment.
