What Are Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)?
A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), defined as any disruption to normal brain function caused by a bump, blow, blast, or jolt to the head. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to lose consciousness or receive an official diagnosis to suffer from long-term cognitive, emotional, or behavioral problems. Each year in the U.S., around 1.7 million ER visits are due to TBIs, and roughly 300,000 military veterans have sustained TBIs during service. Additionally, countless head injuries go unreported or undiagnosed, with lasting effects often overlooked and untreated.
Who Is at Risk for Head Injuries?
Head trauma is increasingly common, with over 2 million new cases annually in the U.S. Concussion rates have surged—especially in children and teens. From 2010 to 2015, concussions rose 43% across the general population, and among individuals aged 10–19, the increase was a staggering 71%. Since 2000, more than 350,000 U.S. veterans have experienced a TBI.
Common Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
Research indicates that head injuries are a leading but often overlooked cause of mental health issues. Unfortunately, many mental health professionals do not investigate brain health directly. At Amen Clinics, 40% of patients have a history of head trauma—many without even recalling the event.
Brain injuries can result in a wide range of symptoms, including:
Cognitive issues: memory lapses, trouble focusing, confusion
Emotional disturbances: mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression
Behavioral changes: impulsivity, anger, risky actions, substance misuse
Neurological effects: balance problems, fatigue, headaches, light and sound sensitivity
What Leads to Concussions and Brain Injuries?
TBIs can result from a variety of situations:
Contact sports (football, hockey, soccer, etc.)
Car accidents—even minor ones
Physical altercations
Slips, trips, and falls
Blast injuries in combat zones
Mental Health Risks Linked to TBIs
Untreated or unrecognized brain injuries may increase the risk of several psychiatric and neurological conditions, including:
Depression
Anxiety and panic attacks
Substance use disorders
ADD/ADHD
Psychosis
PTSD
Personality disorders
Aggression and irritability
Dementia
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
You Don’t Need to Hit Your Head to Injure Your Brain
Your brain is soft—about the texture of butter—while your skull is rigid and lined with sharp ridges. Even without a direct blow, intense movement (such as during whiplash) can cause your brain to slam into the inside of your skull, leading to injury.
In some cases, symptoms show up right away. In others, they surface weeks or even months later, making the original trauma easy to forget. Unfortunately, without a proper brain assessment, these symptoms are often misattributed to psychiatric disorders and treated with medications that may not address the real problem.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Brain Injury
Physical Signs:
Persistent nausea
Sleep disturbances
Chronic fatigue
Sensitivity to light or noise
Vision or balance problems
Cognitive Signs:
Trouble concentrating
Word-finding difficulties
Memory lapses
Mental exhaustion
Emotional & Psychological Signs:
Heightened anxiety
Mood instability
Depression
Suicidal ideation
Behavioral Signs:
Poor impulse control
Aggressive outbursts
Risky behaviors
Drug or alcohol misuse