5 Common Misconceptions About Concussion Care

You sustained a concussion. Your scans were normal. You were told to rest.

Maybe you were prescribed medication and told to give it time.

Weeks or months later, you are still experiencing headaches, dizziness, brain fog, fatigue, light sensitivity, or difficulty concentrating. When you seek help, you may be told to take another medication, continue resting, or that these symptoms are simply your “new normal.”

For many patients, this can be incredibly frustrating. Concussion is complex, yet it is often treated as though there is one standard treatment plan that works for everyone. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may affect how someone feels, thinks, acts, or sleeps. [1]

Misconception 1: You Just Need to Rest

Rest can be an important part of early concussion recovery. However, patients are sometimes told to stay in a dark, quiet room with no noise, no lights, and minimal activity until their symptoms completely resolve.

While reducing activities that significantly worsen symptoms can be appropriate early after a concussion, current guidance generally supports a brief period of relative rest followed by a gradual return to activity as tolerated, rather than prolonged strict rest until every symptom has disappeared. [1,2]

When symptoms persist, continuing to rest without reassessing the problem may not address what is causing those symptoms.

Persistent headaches, dizziness, visual problems, balance difficulties, sleep issues, cognitive problems, and exercise intolerance can have different causes and may require different treatments. [3]

The question should not simply be, “How long has this patient been resting?”

The question should be, “Why are this patient's symptoms continuing?”

Misconception 2: More Medication Is the Answer

Medication can be helpful for certain concussion symptoms and may be an appropriate part of a patient's treatment plan. However, medication should generally not be viewed as the entire treatment plan or the main solution for persistent concussion symptoms.

A treatment plan that focuses primarily on prescribing or increasing medication may not address the underlying cause of persistent symptoms.

Depending on a patient's symptoms and evaluation, treatment may also include physical therapy, specialized rehabilitation, and other targeted treatments. Clinical guidelines for persistent symptoms emphasize individualized, symptom based care that may include both medication and non medication treatment approaches. [3]

Patients should feel comfortable asking:

What symptom is this medication intended to treat?

What other treatment options should be considered?

Medication may be one part of concussion care, but persistent symptoms deserve a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.

Misconception 3: Every Concussion Should Be Treated the Same Way

Two people can sustain similar injuries and have completely different symptoms. One person may struggle primarily with headaches, while another may experience dizziness, visual problems, sleep difficulties, or problems with memory and concentration.

Why does this happen?

A concussion can affect how different networks and systems in the brain function. The specific areas and connections affected, as well as how the brain responds to the injury, can vary from person to person. Individual factors, including prior history and other health and psychosocial factors, may also influence symptoms and recovery. [1,3]

This is why two people with seemingly similar injuries can have very different experiences.

Even patients with the same symptom may have different factors contributing to it.

This is why concussion care requires an individualized approach. A treatment plan should be based on the patient's symptoms, history, examination, and recovery progress. [3]

Misconception 4: A Normal Scan Means You Are Fine

A normal CT or MRI can be reassuring because it may rule out certain serious structural problems. However, a normal scan does not mean a patient cannot have significant concussion symptoms.

Concussion can affect how the brain functions without causing an obvious abnormality on routine imaging. [1]

Mental and emotional symptoms can also be easy to overlook. Patients may experience irritability, anxiety, depression, emotional changes, difficulty managing stress, or feeling unlike themselves. They may assume they are simply tired, overwhelmed, stressed, or having a difficult time adjusting to life after an injury.

These symptoms may also be missed by others. Family members, friends, and even healthcare providers may attribute changes in mood, behavior, or personality to stress or emotional reactions rather than considering that they may be related to the concussion.

The CDC recognizes that concussion symptoms can affect mood, emotions, behavior, and sleep. Symptoms may also be overlooked by the person with the injury, family members, or healthcare providers. [1]

Because these symptoms can be less visible than a physical injury, they may not always be recognized as part of the concussion.

“Your scan is normal” does not mean “your symptoms are not real.”

Misconception 5: Persistent Symptoms Are Just Your New Normal

Some patients with ongoing concussion symptoms are eventually told they simply need to learn to live with them.

While recovery is not always predictable, persistent symptoms should prompt reassessment rather than automatically being accepted as permanent.

Is there a more complete explanation for the symptoms?

Are multiple factors contributing to the patient's recovery?

Is the current treatment actually helping?

Are there other treatment options that have not been considered?

Current clinical guidance recommends follow up and reassessment for patients with persistent symptoms. This includes evaluating other contributing conditions, developing an individualized treatment plan, and considering collaboration with a clinician experienced in traumatic brain injury when appropriate. [3]

Seeking an evaluation from a provider with specialized concussion expertise may help answer these questions.

The Real Life Impact of Inadequately Treated Concussions

Concussion is common, but that does not mean every provider has specialized training in evaluating and treating persistent concussion symptoms.

The result can sometimes be a frustrating pattern:

The patient has a concussion.

Imaging is normal.

The patient is told to rest.

Symptoms persist.

Medication is prescribed or increased.

The patient continues to struggle.

The patient is eventually told that the symptoms may be permanent.

Meanwhile, the effects can extend far beyond headaches or dizziness. Patients may struggle to work, care for their children, or maintain relationships with spouses, family, and friends. Some may experience significant emotional distress, hopelessness, or thoughts of suicide.

A concussion may not be the sole cause of every life hardship, but persistent symptoms can significantly affect a person's life and relationships. Clinical guidance for persistent symptoms emphasizes evaluating not only physical symptoms, but also mental health, psychosocial factors, family and social issues, and the patient's ability to function in daily life. [3]

When patients continue to struggle for months or years and are told only to rest, take medication, or accept their symptoms as permanent, it can feel as though the healthcare system has stopped looking for answers.

Persistent symptoms deserve continued clinical attention and reassessment.

You Deserve More Than “Just Wait”

Concussion care should not be reduced to rest, medication, or being told that your symptoms are simply your new normal.

If your symptoms are persistent or interfering with your daily life, consider seeking a specialized concussion evaluation. A comprehensive evaluation may help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and determine whether your current treatment plan should be adjusted.

The CDC recommends contacting a healthcare provider when concussion symptoms do not improve or worsen, and notes that some people may experience symptoms for months or longer. [2]

If you are still struggling after a concussion, you deserve to have your symptoms reassessed.

You deserve more than simply being told to wait.

References

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion. https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/signs-symptoms/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What to Do After a Mild TBI or Concussion. https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/response/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[3] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management and Rehabilitation of Post Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/Rehab/mtbi/VADoDmTBICPGFinal508.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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