Post-Concussion Symptom Tracker
After a concussion, symptoms can change from day to day — and that variability makes it hard to know whether you are actually improving. This tracker lets you rate 12 or 22 post-concussion symptoms on a 0–6 severity scale, log what triggered them, and see your trends over time. It works entirely in your browser, stores all data privately on your device, and requires no account or login.
This tool is for personal self-monitoring only. It does not diagnose concussion or post-concussion syndrome and does not replace a clinical evaluation.
How to Use the Post-Concussion Symptom Tracker
- Choose your symptom set. On first load, select 12 symptoms (core, takes about 3 minutes) or 22 symptoms (comprehensive, about 5 minutes). You can change this any time in settings.
- Set your check-in frequency. Daily check-ins give the clearest picture of recovery trends. If that feels like too much, every 2–3 days still produces useful data.
- Rate each symptom 0–6. Zero means absent. Six means as severe as you have ever experienced it. Try to rate how you feel right now, not how you felt earlier in the day.
- Log your triggers. After rating your symptoms, note what you were exposed to — screen time, physical exertion, poor sleep, stress. Over time, patterns will emerge showing which triggers affect you most.
- Read your trends. Your dashboard shows a total score trend, individual symptom lines, a domain breakdown (physical, cognitive, emotional, sleep), and a calendar heatmap. Focus on weekly averages rather than individual days — daily fluctuation is normal.
What the scores suggest:
- 0–15: Mild symptom burden, consistent with normal early recovery
- 16–38: Moderate burden — symptoms are present and affecting daily function
- 39+: High burden — consistent with the clinical threshold for post-concussion syndrome; professional evaluation is appropriate
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) — also called persistent post-concussive symptoms — is diagnosed when symptoms following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) persist beyond four weeks. The ICD-10 code is F07.2.
Most people who sustain a concussion recover within 2–4 weeks. Approximately 10–30% develop symptoms that last longer. The exact mechanisms are not fully understood, but contributing factors include disrupted cerebral blood flow regulation, neurometabolic dysfunction during recovery, cervical spine involvement, vestibular dysfunction, and pre-existing conditions like anxiety, migraine, or prior concussion history.
PCS is not a single condition — it is a cluster of symptoms that vary by person. Someone may have mostly physical symptoms (headache, dizziness) while another person has primarily cognitive symptoms (brain fog, memory problems). This variability is one reason symptom tracking is valuable: it reveals your individual pattern rather than relying on a general description of the condition.
Risk factors for prolonged recovery include:
- Female sex
- History of prior concussion
- Pre-existing anxiety, depression, or migraine
- Older age at time of injury
- Vestibular symptoms at initial presentation
- Higher total symptom burden in the first week
Post-Concussion Symptoms: A Complete List
The following symptoms are documented in the clinical literature on post-concussion syndrome. Not everyone experiences all of them. Most people in the acute phase have 3–5 symptoms. If symptoms span multiple domains — especially vestibular symptoms combined with cognitive symptoms — recovery tends to take longer.
Physical Symptoms
Headache — The most prevalent post-concussion symptom, reported in up to 90% of cases acutely. May present as migraine-type, tension-type, or cervicogenic (originating from the neck). Often the last symptom to fully resolve.
Dizziness — Affects 23–81% of patients in the acute phase. May reflect vestibular dysfunction, cervicogenic dizziness, BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), or impaired blood flow regulation.
Fatigue — Present in 43–73% of patients acutely. Often described as a mental exhaustion that is disproportionate to physical activity. Different from sleepiness.
Light sensitivity (photophobia) — Approximately 40% of concussion patients report photophobia. Fluorescent lighting is a common trigger. May persist long after other symptoms resolve.
Noise sensitivity (phonophobia) — Reported in approximately 59% of patients. Crowds, background conversation, and high-frequency sounds are common triggers.
Nausea — Common in the acute phase, typically resolves within the first 1–2 weeks.
Blurred or double vision — Affects 25–40% of patients. May reflect oculomotor dysfunction or vestibular-visual mismatch.
Balance problems — Present in 30–40% of patients. Related to vestibular dysfunction and impaired sensory integration.
Neck pain or stiffness — Present in 7–69% of patients acutely; rises to
approximately 90% in persistent PCS. Neck pain at initial evaluation is associated with 2.6–6.4 times greater risk of prolonged recovery.
Pressure in the head — A feeling of fullness, pressure, or heaviness distinct from headache.
Cognitive Symptoms
Difficulty concentrating — Reported in 45–65% of patients. Often described as an inability to stay on task or follow complex conversations.
Memory difficulties — Affects 40–60% of patients. Typically affects short-term memory and new learning more than long-term memory.
Mental fogginess — Described as thinking through a haze. One of the most commonly reported and most frustrating cognitive symptoms.
Feeling mentally slowed down — Processing speed is often reduced post-concussion. Tasks that used to take minutes may take significantly longer.
Word-finding difficulty — Trouble retrieving words mid-sentence. More common in moderate-to-severe cases but present in a subset of mild TBI patients.
Difficulty with executive function — Planning, multitasking, organizing, and switching between tasks may all be affected.
Emotional and Mood Symptoms
Irritability — Reported in 30–50% of patients. Low frustration tolerance is a common early symptom and can strain relationships.
Anxiety — Affects 15–35% of patients acutely. Pre-existing anxiety is one of the strongest predictors of prolonged recovery.
Depression — Prevalence ranges from 6–46% depending on the timeframe and measurement tool. Individuals with mTBI have a significantly elevated risk of depression compared to the general population.
Emotional lability — Crying or laughing more easily than usual, or experiencing emotional responses that feel disproportionate to the situation.
Mood swings — Rapid shifts between emotional states, often within the same day.
Sleep Symptoms
Difficulty falling or staying asleep — Affects 30–70% of patients. Sleep disruption creates a compounding effect: poor sleep worsens symptoms, and symptoms disrupt sleep.
Excessive drowsiness — Feeling the need to sleep significantly more than usual, especially in the first 1–2 weeks.
Disrupted sleep schedule — Irregular sleep timing, difficulty waking at a consistent time.
What Makes Post-Concussion Symptoms Worse?
Identifying your personal triggers is one of the most practical things you can do during recovery. The following categories account for the most commonly reported symptom exacerbators in the clinical literature.
Screen time and cognitive load. Reading, studying, multitasking, and complex conversations all tax the brain's energy resources during recovery. A 2021 RCT found that unrestricted screen use following concussion was associated with a median recovery of 8 days compared to 3.5 days for those who limited it. The recommended approach is moderation — 15–20 minute intervals with breaks — not complete abstinence.
Physical exertion above your threshold. Post-concussion disrupts cerebral blood flow regulation, creating a personal threshold above which symptoms worsen. The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test can identify this threshold precisely. Sub-threshold aerobic exercise is now recommended as therapeutic — the 2022 Amsterdam Consensus no longer supports prolonged rest.
Bright lights and loud environments. Fluorescent lighting, crowded spaces, and high-contrast visual environments are among the most consistently reported triggers. Tinted lenses can help in some cases, but only under guidance — some tints can worsen symptoms.
Poor or disrupted sleep. Sleep is when the brain clears metabolic waste through the glymphatic system. Disrupted sleep during concussion recovery impairs this process and directly worsens next-day symptom severity.
Dehydration and skipped meals. Adequate hydration (roughly 60–80 oz of non-caffeinated fluid daily) and consistent meals support cerebral metabolism during the neurometabolic recovery phase. Caffeine and alcohol are documented exacerbators in most patients.
Head movement and vestibular triggers. Looking up or down quickly, driving, riding in a vehicle, elevators, and scrolling on screens can all provoke vestibular symptoms. These triggers are related to impaired vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function and cervicogenic involvement.
Emotional stress. Stress activates the autonomic nervous system, which is already dysregulated post-concussion. Conflict, anxiety, social pressure, and major life stressors are all documented triggers. This is why a calm, low-demand environment supports recovery — but complete social withdrawal is not recommended.
Hormonal changes. Female patients report worsening symptoms around
menstruation, which may be related to progesterone withdrawal. Female sex is one of the strongest predictors of prolonged PCS.
Social overstimulation. Large groups, busy restaurants, and complex social interactions require significant cognitive resources. Reducing social complexity during recovery is different from isolating — brief, low-demand social contact is generally beneficial.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Concussion Symptoms
Emergency symptoms — call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately
Seek emergency care if you experience any of the following, at any point during recovery:
- A headache that keeps getting worse and does not respond to over-the-counter medication
- Repeated vomiting (more than once)
- Seizures or convulsions
- One pupil that looks larger than the other
- Extreme drowsiness or inability to be woken
- Increasing confusion or unusual behavior
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Slurred or unusual speech
- Weakness or numbness in arms or legs
- Clear fluid from the nose or ears
These can indicate serious intracranial pathology that requires immediate imaging and intervention. Do not wait.
See a doctor within 1–2 weeks if
- Symptoms have not improved after 2–3 weeks
- New symptoms have appeared since the initial injury
- Symptoms are significantly interfering with work, school, or daily activities
- You are experiencing significant mood changes, depression, or anxiety
- You are an athlete considering return to sport
- Your symptom tracker shows a plateau or worsening trend over 3–4 consecutive weeks
A clinical evaluation for persistent post-concussion symptoms typically involves a detailed history, physical and neurological examination, vestibular and oculomotor assessment, and — in specialized settings — functional neuroimaging to assess cerebrovascular reactivity. At Cognitive FX, this process uses functional neurocognitive imaging (fNCI) to identify which brain regions are under- or over-activated during cognitive tasks, providing an objective baseline for treatment.
Tracking Concussion Symptoms for Athletes
For athletes, symptom tracking serves two purposes: monitoring recovery and supporting return-to-play decisions. Current return-to-play protocols require athletes to be symptom-free at rest and during graded exertion before returning to contact practice or competition. A logged symptom history provides objective evidence for both the athlete and medical staff.
Concussion and TBI Symptom Tracking for Military Veterans
Blast-related traumatic brain injury presents differently from sports concussion in several important ways. The injury mechanism — a pressure wave rather than a direct impact — does not always involve loss of consciousness or a clear injury event, which means the injury is often not recognized or documented at the time.
The symptom profile of blast TBI overlaps significantly with both concussion and PTSD, including irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, sleep disruption, and emotional dysregulation. This overlap complicates both diagnosis and tracking.
Longitudinal symptom monitoring is particularly important for veterans because:
- Multiple blast exposures are common, and the cumulative effect on symptom burden is significant
- Symptoms may not emerge or be recognized until weeks or months after return from deployment
- The overlap with PTSD symptoms means that untreated concussion symptoms are sometimes attributed entirely to mental health conditions — and vice versa
This tracker can be used for blast-related TBI as well as impact concussions. The symptom domains (physical, cognitive, emotional, sleep) are the same. Logging triggers is especially useful for distinguishing patterns that are more likely to be concussion-related (vestibular, light/noise sensitivity) versus PTSD-related (hypervigilance, re-experiencing).
Veterans seeking evaluation for persistent post-concussion symptoms or TBI are welcome to request an assessment at Cognitive FX.
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Concussion Symptoms
How long do post-concussion symptoms last? Most concussion symptoms resolve within 2–4 weeks. Post-concussion syndrome is diagnosed when symptoms persist beyond four weeks. Approximately 85–90% of adults recover fully within three months. A smaller percentage — roughly 10–15% — experience symptoms beyond three months. Recovery is non-linear, and symptoms often fluctuate before improving overall.
What is the difference between a concussion and post-concussion syndrome? A concussion is the injury itself — a functional disruption of the brain caused by a biomechanical force. Post-concussion syndrome is the condition that develops when symptoms from that injury persist beyond the expected recovery window. Not everyone who has a concussion develops PCS.
Can post-concussion symptoms come and go? Yes. Day-to-day fluctuation is a normal feature of PCS, not a sign that you are getting worse. Symptoms typically worsen with triggers like screen time, exertion, or poor sleep, and improve with rest. Looking at weekly averages rather than individual daily scores gives a more accurate picture of your trajectory.
What are the most common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome? The most consistently reported symptoms are headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbance. Dizziness, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, irritability, and memory problems are also very common. Most people experience symptoms across multiple domains.
What is the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale? The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) is a validated 22-item clinical instrument used to assess symptom severity after concussion. Each symptom is rated 0–6, from not present to severe, giving a total possible score of 132. It is one of the most widely used concussion assessment tools in sports medicine and concussion research. The symptom tracker on this page is informed by the PCSS but is not a licensed reproduction of it.
How do I know if my concussion symptoms are actually improving? Improvement is best measured by weekly averages, not individual days. Signs of genuine recovery include: lower average symptom scores over a 1–2 week window, better tolerance of activities that previously triggered symptoms, fewer symptoms interrupting sleep, and the ability to sustain cognitive activity for longer before symptom onset. A reduction of 26 or more points on a 22-symptom scale represents clinically meaningful improvement.
Should I rest completely if I have post-concussion symptoms? No. Complete bed rest is no longer recommended by any major clinical guideline. The current consensus (Amsterdam Consensus Statement, 2022) recommends light activity within 24–48 hours as tolerated, followed by gradual increases that stay below your symptom threshold. Prolonged rest can slow recovery and worsen deconditioning.
Can stress make post-concussion symptoms worse? Yes. Emotional stress activates the autonomic nervous system, which is already dysregulated following a concussion. Anxiety, interpersonal conflict, academic or work pressure, and overstimulating environments are all documented triggers. Managing stress is a legitimate part of concussion recovery, not a separate issue.
When should I use a concussion symptom tracker? Start tracking as soon as you feel well enough to use it — ideally within the first week after injury. Early data creates a baseline against which to measure improvement. Continue until you have been symptom-free at rest and during normal activity for at least two consecutive weeks. If you are an athlete, continue until you have completed return-to-play progression.
Is post-concussion syndrome permanent? For the majority of people, no. With appropriate identification and management, most patients recover fully. A minority experience long-term symptoms — research suggests this is 10–15% of PCS cases. Specialized treatment approaches, including those addressing cerebrovascular dysfunction, vestibular rehabilitation, and targeted cognitive rehabilitation, have demonstrated meaningful improvement even in patients with symptoms lasting one to three years.
About Cognitive FX
Cognitive FX is a specialized brain rehabilitation clinic based in Provo, Utah, founded in 2014 by Drs. Mark Allen, Alina Fong, and Lynn Gaufin. The clinic focuses on assessment and treatment of post-concussion syndrome and other acquired brain conditions using functional neurocognitive imaging (fNCI), a specialized fMRI protocol that measures cerebrovascular reactivity during cognitive tasks.
The clinic has published peer-reviewed research on post-concussion treatment outcomes and has treated patients from all 50 states and over 30 countries.
Clinical References
- Langevin P, Frémont P, Fait P, Roy J-S. Responsiveness of the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale to Monitor Clinical Recovery After Concussion or Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022;10(9).
- Patricios JS, Schneider KJ, Dvorak J, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport–Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023;57(11):695–711.
- Leddy JJ, Haider MN, Ellis MJ, et al. Early Subthreshold Aerobic Exercise for Sport-Related Concussion: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatrics. 2019;173(4):319–325.
- Kontos AP, Elbin RJ, Schatz P, et al. A revised factor structure for the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale: Baseline and postconcussion factors. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2012;40(10):2375–2384.
- Macnow T, Curran T, Tolliday C, et al. Effect of Screen Time on Recovery From Concussion. JAMA Pediatrics. 2021;175(11):1124–1131.