Mental Health Risks After A Concussion (A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury)
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons defines a concussion as a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) that "results in temporary loss of normal brain function." Individuals who experience concussions generally do so after a direct blow to their head. The physical impacts of a concussion are generally given more attention than the mental health risks. However, the brain plays a role in controlling virtually every other part of the body, and one’s physical and mental health can be strongly interconnected. Therefore, even a temporary loss of regular functions within the brain can cause mental health challenges.
If you or someone you love has experienced a concussion, it may be helpful to be aware of the potential mental health challenges, including depression, that may result from such an injury.
Brief overview of concussions: A type of mild traumatic brain injury
Concussions are a type of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) caused by an impact to one’s head. While one concussion may not cause long-lasting physical damage, if someone has more concussions, they may experience a greater likelihood of permanent harm. Physical fights and intense sports are linked to the development of concussions. However, this does not mean that everyone who plays sports or gets into a fight will experience a concussion.
Symptoms of a concussion
Not all medical exams are able to determine when someone has experienced a concussion. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who have a concussion don’t lose consciousness, but there are some other symptoms that are often associated with concussions. Individuals who have experienced a concussion may have difficulty with a series of physical motions and have trouble retaining coherent thoughts. Sometimes, an individual or the people around them may have trouble determining whether a concussion is present. When in doubt, it may help to see a care provider.
Additional symptoms of a concussion may include loss of memory, vomiting, ringing in the ears, loss of senses, and a lack of balance. People who have recently experienced a concussion may also experience headaches and problems with their vision.
Concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury, can be serious
Concussion, a mild TBI, can affect brain function. Concussions of any nature can be serious, and anything that causes the loss of brain function may require medical attention, even if this loss is temporary.
Reviewing mental health risks after a concussion
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20% of people who experience a concussion subsequently develop mental health symptoms. Depending on the cause and specific nature of the concussion, these individuals may develop depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There may be many factors that determine which mental health problems a person experiences following a concussion. However, a history of mental health disorders may increase an individual's susceptibility in the wake of a concussion.
Risk factors
Why are approximately 20% of people who experience concussions more likely to develop mental health conditions than the remaining 80%? Research suggests that risk factors may play a role in the statistical discrepancies. The state of an individual's lifestyle, their overall mental health, and the way they handle themselves after a concussion may affect whether additional mental health problems follow after the initial incident.
Presence of pre-existing mental health problems
As mentioned above, one of the leading risk factors may include the presence of pre-existing mental health conditions. This may be applicable to individuals who already have a history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions.
Lifestyle factors can contribute to mental health risks after a concussion
Lifestyle factors may also be a contributing risk factor. Human interaction can make a significant difference, especially when someone is working to recover from a concussion. In many cases, it can be tempting for people to close themselves off from others or isolate themselves, but this may affect their recovery. Being around people who care and engage in safe, low-risk activities may be healthy and help prevent the development of depression, loneliness, and other mental health challenges.
Depression
Post-concussion, it is not uncommon to experience symptoms of depression. Taking steps to avoid the aforementioned risk factors may help with recovery. However, precautions do not always lead to prevention. Individuals who experience a concussion may still develop mental health challenges, such as depression. Depending on the extent of the brain injury, the depressive symptoms may be mild or temporary, but in other cases, someone may experience depression for considerable periods of time.
If an individual experiences depression following a concussion, seeking help from a doctor and/or mental health professional may be helpful. There are various therapy options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), that can help people overcome depression. Another treatment option for depression after a concussion may also be medication. A licensed healthcare provider may prescribe medication, and it’s recommended that you always speak with a doctor before starting or stopping a new medication.
Post-concussion syndrome
After experiencing a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), concussive symptoms may persist for extended periods of time after the event. This is known as post-concussion syndrome or persisting symptoms after a concussion. Post-concussion syndrome is common after a head injury, with one systematic review showing that about one-third of children with a concussion will experience post-concussive symptoms. If headache, fatigue, insomnia, or difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms persist, it may be a sign of post-concussion syndrome.
Challenges with thought processing
Due to the way that a concussion can interfere with brain functions, individuals who experience this trauma may be at risk of challenges with processing thoughts. People who have experienced a traumatic brain injury often struggle to retain and recall information. The combination of thought-processing problems and depression may worsen both symptoms. As with depression, a person who experiences cognitive challenges can seek support from a doctor or a mental health professional. There are several evidence-based treatments for depression, including online therapy, which allows individuals to receive mental health care from home during their recovery from a concussion.
Fatigue after concussion
Fatigue may be common in individuals who have experienced a concussion. While most people recover from a concussion, healing from the trauma inflicted upon the brain may involve fatigue. In many cases, fatigue may be the body's way of healing. According to the Cleveland Clinic, rest is important for recovery from a concussion. While many people believe that a person shouldn’t sleep after a concussion, there is currently no evidence base for this claim.
Taking steps to avoid concussions
There are many preventive measures to avoid concussions. Taking the right precautions may save people from experiencing physical problems, mental health challenges, and disruptions to daily life.
Avoiding concussions may require implementing certain safety measures. These may include wearing seatbelts while driving or riding in a vehicle, putting on headgear during sports or other activities with heavy physical contact, and placing grab bars in areas where people can fall. Also, recovery from a concussion may require temporarily abstaining from certain activities, especially if they’re sports-related.
Online counseling with BetterHelp for mental health risks after a concussion
Whether you’ve recently experienced a concussion or you know someone who has, it can be important to pay attention to the potential mental health symptoms that can follow a concussion. If you’re having new or worsening symptoms that you feel unable to solve on your own, know that you’re not alone.
There are licensed mental health counselors who can help during this time. If concussion symptoms make it difficult to leave home, you might consider online therapy, which research has shown to be effective for a variety of mental health concerns. Several studies have demonstrated online therapy to be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy.
Benefits of online therapy for mental health issues or problems
With online counseling, you can receive mental health care from the comfort of your home and connect with a therapist in a way that feels right for you following a concussion. You can communicate with a licensed therapist via live chat, phone, or videoconferencing—or a combination of these modalities. Also, with BetterHelp, you can contact your therapist at any time, day or night, through in-app messaging, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can. This may be useful if you experience concussion symptoms in between sessions.
Takeaway
Concussions and other types of brain injuries can pose serious risks to your mental health. If you notice that you’re acting differently after a traumatic brain injury or experiencing unusual changes in your cognitive abilities, it may help to reach out to your primary care provider.
You may also find it useful to speak with a mental health professional. With online therapy, you can speak with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home, which may be helpful following a concussion. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist who has experience treating people following concussions or brain injuries. Take the first step toward mental and emotional healing from a concussion and reach out to BetterHelp today.
Can a concussion cause long-term emotional problems?
Although concussions are often linked to physical symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder can also occur alongside mental health symptoms after a head injury. For instance, chronic headaches after a concussion and a history of a sports-related concussion can lead to frustration or anxiety, contributing to emotional problems, mental health problems, and major depressive disorder features.
Experiencing emotional distress and psychological symptoms such as mood instability following the first few days or weeks after the concussion can be normal. However, if more symptoms like fatigue, sleep deprivation, anxiety, isolation, or difficulty controlling emotions continue or become severe, it may help to seek concussion treatment from a professional knowledgeable about pediatric concussion (if applicable) and concussion recovery.
Some patients report persistent posttraumatic stress disorder even months after a head injury. Ongoing changes in the nervous system may underpin emotional disturbances. A track TBI study showed that some concussion cases continue to experience mental health symptoms for over a year. Many patients report feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks as part of the emotional fallout.
Is post-concussion syndrome a mental illness?
Post-concussion syndrome happens when post-concussion symptoms persist longer and can overlap with psychiatric symptoms or mental health disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder. It is not considered a mental illness, yet it may exacerbate other mental health outcomes and result in increased emotional symptoms. Some TBI patients report suicidal ideation or intensified emotional burden, but the syndrome itself reflects underlying neurological disorders, not primary psychiatric pathology.
Studies in JAMA Psychiatry have used the post-concussion symptom scale to measure cognitive symptoms and emotional changes. Research by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders highlights that some concussion patients develop persistent mental health symptoms. A review in JAMA Psychiatry noted that persistent symptoms can mirror those seen in major depressive disorder. Experts in sports health recommend early assessment to avoid limiting behavior and prevent chronic complications.
What are the three long-term effects of a concussion?
Concussion may have long-term effects that persist for weeks to months. These may include:
Headaches
Dizziness
Difficulty concentrating
Long-term issues from a concussion include persistent head injury-related pain and cognitive deficits. Some patients report ongoing post-concussion symptoms like sensitivity to noise or light. A track TBI study found that a subset of individuals later develop major depression even years after the injury. Effective management and early support can lead to the best recovery outcomes.
Can concussions have lifelong effects?
Concussions are usually not life-threatening. However, its effects (physical and emotional) can be significant; hence, they should not be taken for granted. Repeated concussions may result in head injury, increased risk of neurological disorders, or persistent depressive disorder. Long-term effects may include headache, problems with concentration, memory issues, major depression in some concussion patients, and difficulties with balance.
Some concussion survivors develop chronic sleep disorders that persist beyond the initial injury. Ongoing changes in the nervous system can disrupt normal sleep regulation. Many patients also report anxiety or other mental health symptoms months later.
How long does it take your brain to fully recover from a concussion?
Typically, symptoms of concussions, such as brain fog and dizziness, can improve within a few weeks with proper rest and gradual return to physical activity. However, concussion recovery times vary greatly among concussion patients. Factors such as concussion history, risk factors like prior head injury, and the quality of one’s support system can affect the pace of recovery. For many, full recovery aligns with best recovery protocols and guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Recovery timelines vary, and some patients continue to experience mental health symptoms like anxiety for months. Persistent changes may lead to long-term mood swings in a small percentage of people. During recovery, attention to sleep regulation is vital to support healing. Early interventions to treat anxiety can improve outcomes.
Can a concussion cause permanent personality change?
Personality changes, such as anger, irritability, and sadness, may seem observable after a concussion due to the psychological factors of injury. While traumatic brain injury can alter behavior temporarily, these post-concussion shifts don’t usually lead to permanent personality change—especially when progressive muscle relaxation and therapy are used to address mental health symptoms early on.
In rare cases, individuals develop persistent irritability resembling major depressive disorder traits. Even shifts in a child’s mental health have been observed after moderate injury.
Do you fully recover from a concussion?
Yes, most patients recover from concussions, and many individuals experience symptom relief within days to weeks with proper rest, gradual return to activities, and pain relief. Engaging in safe levels of physical activity, following concussion treatment plans, and relying on a strong support system are key. Even TBI patients with more severe head injury can achieve full recovery when monitored closely.
Most patients do fully recover, though a small group may develop chronic headaches or cognitive issues. A minority might later meet the criteria for major depressive disorder. Lack of follow-up may leave subtle mental health symptoms unaddressed.
Can a concussion cause problems years later?
Yes, there is a chance that a concussion may cause problems years later. Research shows that multiple concussions may cause increased risk of long-term mental health disorders and neurological disorders in some individuals, such as traumatic encephalopathy and Alzheimer’s disease. After a few years, some may develop cognitive decline linked to their prior head injury.
Long after the initial head injury, some survivors report rare but serious issues like chronic pain. Years later, many patients still track decreased cognitive function and persistent sleep issues. A few develop major depressive disorder following repeated head trauma. Long-term studies also show lasting mental health symptoms even after apparent physical recovery.
What does a concussion do to the brain?
The impact that occurs during a concussion can cause temporary changes in the structure and functioning of the brain and nervous system.
Concussions can release neurochemicals that disturb brain function.
Some brain cells can be damaged (stretched or injured).
Some blood vessels may be injured, which can worsen poor sleep and contribute to sleep deprivation—both of which negatively affect mental health symptoms.
A concussion can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, causing trouble falling or staying asleep. Damage to the nervous system may impair normal impulse transmission. Some may experience sleep regulation issues, making it hard to maintain consistent rest. These disruptions can also worsen mental health symptoms like mood swings.
Timely support can greatly improve mental health outcomes in at-risk individuals. However, without early care, people may develop major depressive disorder, and living with major depressive disorder often brings additional challenges.
What can a neurologist do for post-concussion syndrome?
If you decide to see a neurologist for persistent symptoms of concussions, they might do some of these things:
Do procedures that will help them rule out the possibility of other neurological causes.
The neurologist may prescribe medication to manage the symptoms.
A neurologist may refer you to other specialists if they see the need to do so.
They can arrange self-report assessments and recommend involvement in a support system program or medically reviewed blog post–based guidance.
Neurologists assess patients individually to rule out other causes. They may order imaging studies recommended by recent JAMA Psychiatry reviews. For those with persistent anxiety, they can prescribe targeted therapies. Early referral helps prevent the progression of major depressive disorder.
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