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The Cognitive FX Blog

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

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

Image of Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.
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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Long-Term Anxiety After a Concussion: Why You Feel This Way and How to Move Forward

Image of Dr. Diane Spangler Ph. D.
Dr. Diane Spangler Ph. D.

There is a whole world of hurt and pain for patients who experience mental health symptoms after a concussion. Not all of them realize that concussions can cause anxiety, and those who do know it don’t know why it’s happening or how to fix it. Many visit psychiatrists who prescribe medication that may just make things worse (something we’ll explain in depth later in the post). 

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The Long Term Effects of Encephalitis: How to Recover

The Long Term Effects of Encephalitis: How to Recover

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

Many viral and bacterial infections are capable of affecting the brain and causing widespread dysfunction that may outlast the acute disease symptoms. Patients with long-term symptoms after viral encephalitis or meningitis may suffer from fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, sleep issues, memory problems, emotional changes, and more. 

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Do I have a concussion? Take the quiz.

Quiz: Do I Have a Concussion? (Plus What to Do About It)

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

Note: While this quiz will give you some insight into your current conditions, your results are only as good as your answers. It is not a substitute for seeing a doctor and is not official medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of the signs of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), seek medical attention immediately. Otherwise, feel free to use this quiz as a starting point to determine if you need further care. Also note that, while we may record your responses, it is not linked with any personally-identifying information.

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How Physical Therapy for Post-Concussion Syndrome Can Help Patients

How Physical Therapy for Post-Concussion Syndrome Can Help Patients

Image of Jake Carluccio
Jake Carluccio

There is no exact time frame for recovering from a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), otherwise known as a concussion. The majority of people who sustain an acute concussion recover within a few weeks. For a small percentage, however, concussion symptoms persist for weeks, months, or even years after their brain injury. This condition, known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), leaves frustrated patients searching for answers and concussion treatment options that might 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

Image of Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.
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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Football Concussions: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Recovery

Football Concussions: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Recovery

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

The topic of football concussions is a controversial one. If you’re a football player worried about the long-term health of your brain, it can be confusing to wade through all the information out there. Opinions range anywhere from people claiming that all the worry about football concussions is ruining the game to those who want to ban tackle football, for children (since kids who play tackle football sustain 15 times more head impacts than children who play flag football, according to the CDC).

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Functional Neurology: What It Is and What Patients Need to Know

Functional Neurology: What It Is and What Patients Need to Know

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

Modern traditional medicine has transformed the way we diagnose and treat disease and injury. And in most cases, it is extremely effective. But it doesn’t always provide the solutions patients need to improve their quality of life, especially when they suffer from poorly characterized ailments (such as unexplained chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or movement disorders).

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fMRI vs. SPECT Scan for the Brain: Know Your Options

fMRI vs. SPECT Scan for the Brain: Know Your Options

Image of Dr. Mark Allen Ph. D.
Dr. Mark Allen Ph. D.

If you’re struggling to recover after a brain injury, dealing with healthcare providers is often a frustrating process. Unless you have a clear, severe injury, they might be dismissive of your symptoms or just may not have enough treatment options to help you. Oftentimes, they’ll order an MRI or a CT scan.

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The Link Between Concussions and Attention Deficit Disorder

The Link Between Concussions and Attention Deficit Disorder

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is difficult enough to handle alone. When you add concussions into the mix, it can feel overwhelming. The relationship between ADHD, concussions, and post-concussion syndrome is still being researched, but that doesn’t mean there’s no good info or treatment options for patients who need them.

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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

Image of Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.
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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figure-skating-concussion-recovery-story

How 14 Years of Unexplained Chronic Illness Turned Out to Be Concussion-Related: A Former Figure Skater’s Story

Olivia Seitz

I started figure skating competitively when I was eight years old. I loved the feeling of flying across the ice, the “wind” racing across my skin, vaulting into the air and sailing through a landing. Like many, I dreamed of the Olympics, and I poured every ounce of energy into training.

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