Persisting symptoms after concussion, commonly referred to as postconcussion syndrome or postconcussive syndrome, is characterized by physical and emotional disturbances occurring after mild traumatic brain injury with or without loss of consciousness. Some symptoms begin immediately after the head injury, while others may start later. Longer delays in symptom onset should be evaluated for possible alternate etiologies.

Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, photophobia, phonophobia, tinnitus, difficulty concentrating, short-term memory problems, depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and fatigue.

The severity of the head injury does not clearly correlate with the risk of developing persisting symptoms. Most patients recover within 6 months after injury, although symptoms can persist for a year or more in some cases. The number and severity of symptoms in the initial days after injury is a strong predictor of persisting symptoms.

Related topic: concussion