There are a variety of ways one can sustain a concussion. While you don’t have to have hit your head in order to get a concussion, this is how concussions often occur. By definition, if a concussion or traumatic brain injury is due to a blow to the head, this is considered a physical trauma to the body, hence the term traumatic brain injury.
Not only are concussions physical traumas to the body, but they can also be experienced as emotional traumas. An emotional trauma can occur when one either directly experiences or witnesses a scary event, often one that is life-threatening.
If you think about the variety of ways that someone can sustain a concussion, these often are perceived to be life-threatening. For example, a serious car accident, a physical assault, or a skiing accident can all cause concussions and can be life-threatening.
How to Know if You Have PTSD After a Concussion
Not everyone who has had a traumatic incident goes on to develop the mental health condition, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I will discuss some signs that you could have PTSD as a result of sustaining your concussion.
Reexperiencing Symptoms
A classic symptom of PTSD is re-experiencing the traumatic incident in some way. This could be having nightmares about the event, having intrusive memories about it, or having flashbacks in which you feel like the traumatic event is happening again. You may also feel anxious or activated when you are reminded of the trauma. For example, someone who has had a motorcycle accident, may feel anxious any time they see a motorcycle.
Avoidance
It’s normal, to some extent, to be nervous to get behind the wheel again after getting into a car accident. But if you are avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of your accident for more than a few weeks, this could be a sign of PTSD, particularly if this avoidance is impacting your functioning. For example, if you find yourself taking the long driving route to work to avoid passing by the area where you had a car accident, even though it adds an hour to your commute every day, this could be a sign of PTSD, particularly if this change has occurred for more than a few weeks.
Changes in Mood and Beliefs
Individuals with PTSD will often have a change in their mood since the traumatic event. This could be a newfound fear or anxiety, irritability or anger, or even guilt or shame. They may also have a change in their beliefs about the world, such as now believing that “the world isn’t safe” whereas maybe they didn’t feel this way before.
Nervous System Changes
Our brain’s purpose is to help us survive. After having a life-threatening trauma, your brain may go into overdrive to help you survive. For example, you may find yourself feeling constantly on edge or super alert (hypervigilant) of your surroundings, keeping an eye out for danger. You may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating, again because your brain is also more concerned with safety.
Reach Out for Professional Help
If you’ve experienced any or most of these symptoms of PTSD for more than a few weeks since sustaining your concussion, it may be time to reach out for professional help. Contact the Colorado Concussion Clinic today to schedule an appointment for a medical evaluation, talk to a licensed mental health therapist, and to receive other important services for your healing journey.