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The Cognitive FX Blog

Your source for everything you need to know about traumatic brain injury and concussions.

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Dr. Alina K. Fong received her Ph. D. in Clinical Neuropsychology with an emphasis in neuroradiology from Brigham Young University. She received the national American Psychological Association Clinical Neuropsychology Division 40 Graduate Student Research Award in 2004 for her research on "Cortical Sources of the N400 and 'The N400 Effect." Dr. Fong's interest in brain mapping soon turned to functional MRI, and since then, her research efforts have been focused on the clinical applications of fMRI.

The Best Antidepressants for Post-Concussion Syndrome & Alternatives

The Best Antidepressants for Post-Concussion Syndrome & Alternatives

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Perhaps this situation sounds familiar: Months ago, you got a concussion, and you’re still suffering from persistent symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and brain fog. To make matters worse, your mood keeps sinking lower, it’s easy to lose patience with friends and family, and it’s hard to concentrate at work (if you’re still able to work at all). 

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Childlike Behavior After a Brain Injury: Causes and Treatment

Childlike Behavior After a Brain Injury: Causes and Treatment

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

After a concussion or other brain injury, your loved one may start exhibiting some behaviors that are considered inappropriate and childlike. They may be prone to crying (emotional lability), angry outbursts, impulsive behaviors, and more. It may seem like their words and behaviors are out of character or that they’re failing to understand and respect the feelings of others. 

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Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery: Can You Recover from a TBI?

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

If you’ve experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it’s natural to want to know how long and how difficult your recovery is going to be. There are so many factors affecting recovery time — such as the specifics of the injury, gender, treatment options, and more. Remember, the length and extent of your recovery is unique to you. Recovery stories vary even between patients with similar injuries. 

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Suicidal Thoughts and Post-Concussion Syndrome: What Can You Do?

Suicidal Thoughts and Post-Concussion Syndrome: What Can You Do?

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Sustaining a traumatic brain injury can be a challenging experience. You probably felt angry, demoralized, helpless, and even hopeless in the days following your injury. For some people, these feelings eventually subside and disappear — but that didn't happen for you.

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A Complete Guide to Post-Concussion Syndrome

Post Concussion Syndrome: Persistent Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Post-concussion syndrome, also known as persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS), occurs when concussion symptoms persist for months or years after you sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or another type of brain trauma. If you or a loved one received a post-concussion syndrome (PCS) diagnosis, you're probably wondering if it's treatable. (Short answer: yes!) You may also want to know how long recovery takes, what you can do to alleviate symptoms, and whether what you're experiencing is "normal."

We treat hundreds of post-concussion patients every year and regularly answer these questions for our patients. This guide will help you understand post-concussion syndrome in depth by answering a number of questions, including:

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Navigating Mental Health After Severe TBI and Concussion

Mental Health After TBI or Concussion: Recovery Is Possible

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Mild or severe traumatic brain injury (concussion and TBI) can cause upsetting changes to your mental health. Brain injury can worsen pre-existing mental illness or cause new symptoms —  such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, anger, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. Don’t give up hope: There are good treatment programs that can help you recover.

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Are the Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury Treatable? What You Need to Know About TBI Symptoms and Treatment

Traumatic Brain Injury Long-Term Effects, Symptoms, and Treatment

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Between 80,000-90,000 of people who suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year develop long-term disabilities related to their TBI. Many others suffer from a variety of long-term, problematic symptoms that continue to interfere with their lives. When they try to get help for these issues, they are often told there’s nothing more that can be done — or worse, that there’s nothing wrong with them at all. Here’s the good news: Recovery can and does continue for patients who find the right help.

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17 Cognitive Exercises for Post-Concussion Syndrome You Can Do at Home

17 Cognitive Exercises for Post-Concussion Syndrome You Can Do at Home

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

If you’ve had a concussion (or two, or three … ), there’s a good chance someone told you to rest in a dark room and do nothing until your symptoms go away. But research over the past few years has revealed that resting in a dark room (known as “cocooning”) is not the best way to treat a concussion.

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Personality Changes After a Brain Injury or Concussion

Personality Changes After a Brain Injury or Concussion: Anger, Sadness, Social Struggles, and More

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Personality changes (or what feels like them) are common following a traumatic brain injury. Even a concussion can affect the brain long after it’s healed from the initial injury. The way we process and understand information can change as a result of the injury, so it’s not surprising that our emotions are affected too.

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Vision Problems After a Concussion: Symptoms & Treatment

Vision Problems After a Concussion: Symptoms & Treatment

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Many people who have a concussion suffer from some kind of vision problem as a result of the concussion. However, except for “blurry vision” or “sensitivity to light,” the vision problems people often experience after head trauma are not usually listed among the most common concussion-related symptoms. These symptoms are often overlooked and left untreated, or they are not treated as effectively as possible. 

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Post-Concussion Syndrome Tests: Know If You Have PCS

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Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

If you’re searching for answers and think you might have post-concussion syndrome (PCS), the path to diagnosis can be challenging. Few medical professionals are experts on the condition, and many lack the most sophisticated diagnostic tools. Many doctors will make a diagnosis based on concussion symptom history and a quick physical examination. Others will supplement their findings with imaging or computerized testing.

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