 Post-Traumatic Syndrome
Frequently
Asked Questions
Click here to read
the content disclaimer
Post-Traumatic Syndrome (by Barbaranne Branca, PhD)
Explain the difference between post-traumatic syndrome and post-concussional syndrome.
Basically, these terms refer to
the same group of symptoms that a person may experience after a head injury or whiplash
injury
(the person is shaken but did not hit their head). The term concussion
derives from the Latin word concussio, meaning "a shaking."
These syndromes are diagnosed when the symptoms of a concussion do not go away.
The most common symptoms are headache and neck discomfort; changes in memory, concentration,
and attension; dizziness; irritability, depression or anxiety; and sleep disturbance,
among other symptoms.
The most common symptom following head or neck trauma is headache. Several studies
have found that 6 months after an injury, headaches persist for more than
50% of head-injured people. Other studies have found headaches to persist for years.
It is important to understand that the phrase, "mild closed head injury," is utilized
by health professionals to indicate the level of severity of an injury; it
does not imply that an injury is not serious.
About half of head injuries occur from motor vehicle accidents, 20% from falls,
and the rest are related either to violence or sport injuries.
Back to Top | Back to FAQs
Can a person's personality change after a concussion?
Definitely. Patients may become very depressed after an injury, socially withdrawn,
and no longer interact with others as they did in the past. Anxiety levels can be
quite high. For example, if a person was injured in a motor vehicle accident, they
may feel afraid to drive or even get in a car.
Other patients may begin to experience anger outbursts after an injury. Some marriages
become quite strained because of the change the injury can have on relationships
and family dynamics.
Back to Top | Back to FAQs
Concentration and memory may worsen after mild head injury. Can
it be "fixed"?
It is important, first of all, to perform objective neuropsychological testing to
assess changes in concentration and memory for the patient. For a majority of patients,
any change will improve over time.
For many patients, severe headaches as a result of a injury may impact their ability
to concentrate and frustration for the patient may increase when they experience
"good days and bad days." The patient's relatives may not understand why a person
can function well on one day and be a disaster the next. With patients who continue
to have these types of problems, we teach compensatory strategies or ways
to learn how to cope. For example, there are "rehearsal" strategies that are very
helpful in increasing memory functioning. Simple alterations in a patient's environment
can be quite helpful, such as studying with earplugs in a quiet place.
There are also a number of prosthetic memory devices such as check lists, maps,
hanging calendars, telememo watches, voice organizers, etc., which can improve functioning
for patients both at home and at work. These devices all require training during
neuropsychological therapy sessions.
Having a professional trained in diagnosing post-traumatic syndrome and its pervasive
consequences is very important. Patients often feel very isolated in struggling
with their difficulties. In addition, it is essential for a patient to "grieve"
the loss of their former self, and learn new accommodation strategies to address
any possible limitations they might be experiencing.
Back to Top | Back to FAQs
|