Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion

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Some mild TBI and concussion symptoms may appear right away, while others may not appear for hours or days after the injury. Symptoms generally improve over time, and most people with a mild TBI or concussion feel better within a couple of weeks.

Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion may affect how you feel, think, act or sleep

Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion are different for each person. Symptoms may change during recovery. For example, you may have headaches and feel sick to your stomach earlier on. A week or two after your injury you may notice you feel more emotional than usual or have trouble sleeping.

Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion

Physical

Physical

Physical

Thinking and Remembering

Thinking and Remembering

Thinking and Remembering

Social or Emotional

Social or Emotional

Social or Emotional

Sleep

Sleep

Sleep

Bothered by light or noise

Physical

Bothered by light or noise

Attention or concentration problems

Thinking and Remembering

Attention or concentration problems

Anxiety or nervousness

Social or Emotional

Anxiety or nervousness

Sleeping less than usual

Sleep

Sleeping less than usual

Dizziness or balance problems

Physical

Dizziness or balance problems

Feeling slowed down

Thinking and Remembering

Feeling slowed down

Irritability or easily angered

Social or Emotional

Irritability or easily angered

Sleeping more than usual

Sleep

Sleeping more than usual

Feeling tired, no energy

Physical

Feeling tired, no energy

Foggy or groggy

Thinking and Remembering

Foggy or groggy

Feeling more emotional

Social or Emotional

Feeling more emotional

Trouble falling asleep

Sleep

Trouble falling asleep

Headaches

Physical

Headaches

Problems with short- or long-term memory

Thinking and Remembering

Problems with short- or long-term memory

Sadness

Social or Emotional

Sadness

–

Sleep

–

Nausea or vomiting (early on)

Physical

Nausea or vomiting (early on)

Trouble thinking clearly

Thinking and Remembering

Trouble thinking clearly

–

Social or Emotional

–

–

Sleep

–

Vision problems

Physical

Vision problems

–

Thinking and Remembering

–

–

Social or Emotional

–

–

Sleep

–

Symptoms may be difficult to sort out as they are similar to other health problems

After a mild TBI or concussion:

  • A person may not recognize or admit that they are having problems
  • A person may not understand how the symptoms they are experiencing affect their daily activities
  • Problems may be overlooked by the person with the mild TBI or concussion, family members, or healthcare providers

Seek immediate emergency medical care if you have danger signs

Danger signs in adults

In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot that crowds the brain against the skull can develop. The people checking on you should call 9-1-1 or take you to an emergency department right away if you:

  • Have a headache that gets worse and does not go away
  • Experience weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions, or seizures
  • Vomit repeatedly
  • Have slurred speech or unusual behavior
  • Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
  • Cannot recognize people or places, get confused, restless, or agitated
  • Lose consciousness, look very drowsy or cannot wake up

Danger signs in children

Call 9-1-1 or take your child to the emergency department right away if they received a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, and:

  • Have any of the danger signs for adults listed above
  • Will not stop crying and are inconsolable
  • Will not nurse or eat