Some people sustain a concussion when in an accident. It is not necessary for you to hit your head to sustain a concussion. A severe whiplash can damage the brain cells (neurons) and connections to other brain cells. An individual does not have to be rendered unconscious to have a PCS. The continuation of symptoms after a concussion may constitute that an individual is suffering from a Post-Concussion Syndrome.

Sometimes a person is not aware of how much their memory and concentration has lessened. PCS makes one less aware of changes.

Symptoms of a Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) include:

• Difficulties concentrating or maintaining focus
• Memory problems
• Difficulty understanding or following conversations
• Multitasking is harder to do
• More difficulty verbalizing your thoughts
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Reading comprehension is not as good
• Disorganization
• Frequently losing objects
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Headaches
• Light headedness or dizziness
• Ringing or buzz in the ear

Psychotherapy, biofeedback and cognitive rehabilitation are helpful in reducing these problems and symptoms.

Neuropsychological Evaluation & Treatment

Pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue and stress can cause a reduction in one’s intellectual capacities. You can have the symptoms described above and yet you might not be suffering from a Post-Concussion Syndrome. A neuropsychological evaluation is the most precise way to detect if these problems are being caused by a PCS. One can have memory problems when they look at information or simply only have it when they are hearing information. There are different processes in one’s remembering of information. One needs to absorb the information, not lose the information over time and be able to retrieve or recall it. Neuropsychological evaluations can tell you and your doctors what are your cognitive deficits.

Treatment for a Post-Concussion Syndrome

Cognitive rehabilitation is the direct treatment to lessen the severity of the deterioration of intellectual capacities. Cognitive refers to brain. You have heard about rehabilitation. Injured patients get exercises in physical rehabilitation. You receive exercises in cognitive rehabilitation to directly stimulate the brain in a manner to facilitate recovery of the past compromised abilities. Some refer to this process as cognitive remediation. Psychotherapy and biofeedback provide skills to help you cope and adjust to these changes. Patients are always free to bring in family members.