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Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury

Concussion Effects

Concussions have complex effects on the brain, and individuals with similar injuries can present very differently in terms of symptoms and recovery.  Concussions do not always result in loss of consciousness and some individuals may not even realize that they sustained a concussion. People can experience a variety of different physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms. Some symptoms may develop immediately after the injury while others might become more noticeable over the course of hours to days.

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Just as broken bone need time to heal, so does the brain. Most individuals recover with mental and physical rest. Very mild concussions might heal within a few days while more severe injuries may take longer. For some individuals, however, symptoms persist for prolonged periods of time.  In these circumstances, it may be helpful to undergo a neuropsychological evaluation to help objectively identify cognitive impairments. In addition, repeat testing can be a useful way to document improvement over time. Neuropsychologists can also help to uncover important factors that might be interfering with recovery, such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, certain medications, alcohol, or history of prior concussions.

What We Do

As part of our concussion protocol, we evaluate head injuries related to sports, falls, motor vehicle accidents, etc. We assess for cognitive deficits, provide psychoeducation about common symptoms and typical recovery patterns, create tailored treatment programs. We will work collaboratively with family, doctors, coaches, school, and/or work to create an effective recovery plan.

Common Concussion Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Fatigue

  • Light and sound sensitivity

  • Vomiting (serious cases)

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Cognitive Difficulties

  • Confusion

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Slowed processing speed

  • Word finding difficulty

  • Short-term memory problems

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Psychological Symptoms 

  • Irritability 

  • Depression

Sports Concussions

Sports Concussion Pre/Post Evaluations

As part of out sports concussion focus we are excited to serve individuals, independent sporting programs, schools, and professional sports teams. We offer education, concussion prevention, baseline and post-injury testing, consultation for return to play decisions, and evaluations to determine the need for academic accommodations during recovery.  We provide comprehensive neuropsychological testing.  We also utilize ImPACT, an abbreviated form of neuropsychological assessment, which is used by many professional sports leagues and schools as part of a concussion evaluation and management protocol.  ImPACT is quick, easy to administer, and can be used to repeatedly monitor cognitive progress. 

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