Can you tell fact from fiction? Check out the list below to learn more about common myths and misconceptions about concussion.
“If you didn’t lose consciousness ( ie: “ black out,” “pass out”), then you didn’t have a concussion.”
Loss of consciousness only occurs in about 10% of reported concussion cases.
“You should be healed in ____# of days/weeks.”
While many doctors and organizations provide a figure for expected recovery (usually ranging from 7-10 days to ‘several weeks’), there is no all-encompassing number of days, weeks, months or years which can pinpoint full recovery from concussion. Recovery rates vary for a variety of reasons. Some survivors may not be able to fully recover from TBI.
“You look okay so there is nothing wrong."
Often referred to as an "invisible illness," symptoms of concussion may not be visibly apparent or immediately obvious to others.
“You need to push through ( your symptom)." ( ex: pain, stress, fatigue, etc.)
Pushing through neurofatigue and placing more stress on the brain and its functions can further inhibit recovery times and even cause further damage.
“(Your symptoms) are all in your head.”
Actually, yes. The symptoms are very real and can be painful.
See Pseudo-Symptoms
“You need to have a CT Scan to prove you have a concussion.”
The scans available for survivors are usually to determine whether or not there is bleeding or an alternate cause of symptoms after injury that needs to be addressed. There are not any known scans to determine concussion; diagnosis primarily depends upon assessments such as the Glasgow Coma Scale or Impact Testing.
“It is necessary for someone to wake you up to make sure you’re OK every few hours.”
Sleep is one of the most critical aspects of recovery. Waking a sleeping survivor can prevent healing and delay recovery time.
“If you had a concussion, you would know.”
Concussion is one of the most widely misdiagnosed conditions in the world and can be easily overlooked and misdiagnosed by medical professionals.
“Helmets prevent concussion.”
Trauma by twisting or shaking of the brain inside the skull can cause as much damage, if not more so, than exterior injury to the head, neck or face. Helmets do not protect the brain from injury.
See Secondary Damage
Loss of consciousness only occurs in about 10% of reported concussion cases.
“You should be healed in ____# of days/weeks.”
While many doctors and organizations provide a figure for expected recovery (usually ranging from 7-10 days to ‘several weeks’), there is no all-encompassing number of days, weeks, months or years which can pinpoint full recovery from concussion. Recovery rates vary for a variety of reasons. Some survivors may not be able to fully recover from TBI.
“You look okay so there is nothing wrong."
Often referred to as an "invisible illness," symptoms of concussion may not be visibly apparent or immediately obvious to others.
“You need to push through ( your symptom)." ( ex: pain, stress, fatigue, etc.)
Pushing through neurofatigue and placing more stress on the brain and its functions can further inhibit recovery times and even cause further damage.
“(Your symptoms) are all in your head.”
Actually, yes. The symptoms are very real and can be painful.
See Pseudo-Symptoms
“You need to have a CT Scan to prove you have a concussion.”
The scans available for survivors are usually to determine whether or not there is bleeding or an alternate cause of symptoms after injury that needs to be addressed. There are not any known scans to determine concussion; diagnosis primarily depends upon assessments such as the Glasgow Coma Scale or Impact Testing.
“It is necessary for someone to wake you up to make sure you’re OK every few hours.”
Sleep is one of the most critical aspects of recovery. Waking a sleeping survivor can prevent healing and delay recovery time.
“If you had a concussion, you would know.”
Concussion is one of the most widely misdiagnosed conditions in the world and can be easily overlooked and misdiagnosed by medical professionals.
“Helmets prevent concussion.”
Trauma by twisting or shaking of the brain inside the skull can cause as much damage, if not more so, than exterior injury to the head, neck or face. Helmets do not protect the brain from injury.
See Secondary Damage