You hit your head weeks or months ago, but something still feels a little “off.” Maybe you’re dealing with nagging headaches that don’t have an obvious cause, or maybe it’s something more subtle, like fatigue, “brain fog” or anxiety. You might not realize it, but that impact could be the root cause of all of these issues. If that’s the case, you’re not alone – up to 15% of people who suffer a concussion have symptoms that linger for months to years after the initial impact, or what’s called post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
What is post-concussion syndrome (PCS)?
While diagnostic criteria vary significantly, PCS generally refers to the persistence of physical, sensory, cognitive or behavioral symptoms for an extended period of time after a suspected concussion. While headaches and dizziness may be something you’d immediately connect to head impact, other signs of PCS include sensitivity to light/noise, memory problems, difficulty concentrating and emotional impacts that can include depression and anxiety. Coordination issues, vision changes and mood swings can also indicate PCS. You may also be more likely to experience PCS if you have had prior brain injury, a history of headaches and/or anxiety or are assigned female at birth, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms more than three weeks after a concussion, you should consult a specialist, even if you were evaluated and treated at the time of the initial injury.
How is PCS diagnosed?
PCS is typically diagnosed through a combination of objective tests and clinical judgement of your symptoms – there is no single test to confirm if you have PCS. You can expect a thorough evaluation, as well as an in-depth conversation about your symptoms. Some practitioners may also use imaging such as CT scans, MRIs or X-rays to check for complications, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
What treatment options exist for PCS?
The good news is that many PCS cases resolve on their own over time, but even if that’s not the case for you, there’s a wide variety of evidence-based treatments to help you both manage symptoms and heal your brain and body long-term.
Most people do make a complete recovery from PCS, even if their symptoms persist for a year or more, according to the Cleveland Clinic. With the right support, you are positioning yourself well to increase your chances.
How can the Center for PCS and PTSD Treatment help you on your healing journey?
Our team will take a comprehensive look at your brain function based on your description of your symptoms, referral question and information gleaned during the test. They’ll evaluate your neurobehavioral functioning to include intelligence, memory, attention, language, perception, sensorimotor functions, executive functions (including planning, reasoning, and problem-solving), emotional state, personality, and quality of life.
Your team will tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs. That might include neuropsychology (looking at the connection between the brain and behavior), chronic pain treatment, vestibular therapy, sleep medicine, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, psychotherapy or neuro-optometry and vision therapy.
Just as you would if you were rehabbing a physical injury, patience is key. We generally recommend around 15 sessions (typically once or twice a week), as well as at-home assignments that can help deliver faster, more substantial improvements.
The Center for PCS and PTSD Treatment has been serving patients with PCS for over two decades, providing state-of-the-art assessment, diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention services. Schedule your appointment HERE.
