Concussion
Post Concussion Syndrome
Traumatic Brain Injury
Head Injury
A Concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. Sometimes a Concussion is called a head injury. Other times a concussion is called a TBI. The severity can range from mild to severe. A concussion can happen with or without loss of consciousness. The length of time a person has lost consciousness is one of the factors that impacts the severity of the injury. Other factors impacting the severity can include location of the concussion. Did the person receive immediate medical attention? If the brain was swelling, was the pressure able to be released? If the brain was bleeding was the bleeding able to be stopped? Each concussion is unique because each person's brain and genetics are unique. Often, a Concussion is a traumatic experience. The brain and body do their best to process trauma. Depending upon the circumstances and the individual, following a concussion a person may also develop symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you would like more information about PTSD click on the word and you will taken to the PTSD page.
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Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for a Concussion, especially children under 4 years of age and adults 60 years or older. A Concussion can happen from serving in the military from a combat or blast injury, an auto or other accident, a work related injury, a fall, Domestic or other violence, or while playing sports. Football is the most researched sport related to Concussions. However, Concussions happen frequently in women's and men's sports including basketball, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, and boxing. The CARE Consortium is a collaboration between the NCAA and DOD to research concussions and provide best treatment practices. They have conducted the worlds largest study on concussions over 10 years.
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It is Important to note a condition called Second impact syndrome. Rarely, experiencing a second concussion before symptoms of a first concussion go away may result in rapid brain swelling. This can lead to death. It's important that athletes never return to sports while they're still experiencing symptoms of concussion.
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The symptoms of Concussion can last a short or long time depending upon the severity of the injury.
According to Mayo, Median duration of mild concussion symptoms is approximately 2 weeks. If symptoms persist beyond 3 months, they may be diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) . This happens when the symptoms of concussion listed below do not resolve. Common symptoms of Concussion and PCS include.​
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Fatigue
Dizziness
Vision changes
Ringing in the ears
Nausea
Cognitive Impairments with memory, attention, reasoning and/or judgement
Sensitivity to lights and sounds
Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Balance Issues
Changes in taste and/or smell
Pain
Personality changes
Swallowing issues
Speech Issues
Difficulty with motor coordination
Problems with intimate, social and community relationships
Siezures
Sleep Issues
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The clinician's working at Behavioral Medicine evaluate all symptoms as an indicator of quality of life. With 28 years of experience, we have seen the negative effects of TBI on the mind, body, spirit and relationships. Our purpose is to help reduce the negative impact of TBI on your life through psychological and self-regulating therapies that rewire your mind, body, spirit for safety and connection. We believe you have everything you need inside for you to heal. We have the experience, training, technology and passion to guide you to it. We are ready and available to help the individual and the intimate partner/family/caregivers around them.
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In our office we find a combination of services are most effective to help resolve the symptoms associated with TBI, Head Injury and Concussion.
These services fall under a general term of Health and Behavioral Intervention, which includes
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Eye Movement Desentization Reprocessing (EMDR) ,
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Click on the services listed above to be taken to that services page
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There is a growing body of research showing effective therapies for Concussion
​Click the buttons below to see some of the research related to Concussion.
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A Stroke or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) is also a Brain Injury. It is typically referred to as an acquired brain injury. For more information Click on the the word Stroke and you will be taken our Stroke page.
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You can find more articles related to TBI Concussion and Neurofeedback on our NFB Research page Click the Button Below​​​​​​​​​
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