When patients have a TBI, there is a loss of neurons that assist with staying awake and regulating sleep. TBI patients often report they are experiencing different sleep patterns, excessive daytime sleepiness, increased sleep need, and insomnia, especially in the first two weeks after the injury.
Patients with a severe TBI, who were in a coma, had a skull fracture or required neurosurgery, often have an exaggerated form of hypersomnia similar to those seen in patients with narcolepsy.
Depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain can commonly accompany patients with TBI and also exacerbate sleep issues after a traumatic brain injury.