At Bowyer Psychology, our experienced Clinical Neuropsychologists and Clinical Psychologists provide treatment and support for individuals experiencing persistent or ongoing symptoms following a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We offer comprehensive assessments and personalised interventions to support recovery and wellbeing.
A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a neurological impairment caused by an impact to the head. It may occur due to a sports injury, accident, or anything that hits the head with enough force. This impairment causes a range of issues including fatigue, balance problems, headaches, and memory problems.
While a concussion will typically resolve between two and twelve weeks, between 20% and 50% of individuals may get symptoms that persist well beyond this period. When symptoms continue beyond the expected recovery time, this is referred to as Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms (PPCS). In some cases, these symptoms may last for over a year.
It is well recognised that a wide range of symptoms can emerge following a concussion or mTBI. These symptoms are often grouped into six main domains: fatigue, cognitive, headache/migraine, vestibular, ocular, and affective.
Individuals experiencing a concussion may often feel unusually tired or low in energy compared to what they are used to.
Concussions often cause a range of problems with cognition, including memory impairment, problems with attention and concentration, slow processing speed, distractibility, difficulty with multitasking, and an inability to maintain a train of thought.
Getting headaches and migraines is a strong indicator of being concussed, particularly when they are ongoing or appear to be worsening over time.
Vestibular problems due to concussions include feelings of dizziness, problems with balance, and feeling unsteady on your feet.
Concussions have the potential to affect an individual’s vision, often blurring their eyesight, making them more sensitive to light, or causing strain on their eyes.
Some concussion symptoms are related to emotional state. Concussed individuals may feel an onset of feelings like anxiety, depression, irritability, suicidality, and emotional lability.
Our experienced Clinical Neuropsychologists provide comprehensive assessments for those experiencing persistent or ongoing symptoms following a concussion. Assessments are available for children; adolescents; and adults who have been experiencing symptoms longer than 2 weeks after your concussion. Our neuropsychology assessments follow a standardised procedure that ensures a thorough evaluation and enables us to tailor treatment to each patient’s individual needs.
A cognitive assessment identifies the cognitive strengths and challenges of the patient after sustaining a concussion. This allows us to give them the appropriate support and plan out the correct intervention strategies.
Part of the assessment process involves creating a baseline assessment. This helps us to monitor the recovery of the patient over time. Baseline assessments are particularly valuable when we are evaluating individuals who happen to be at a higher risk of receiving repeat concussions, such as athletes.
When conducting a concussion assessment, we evaluate the different symptoms that the patient is exhibiting. This is cross-referenced against the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Traumatic Brain Injury. Doing this allows us to classify the concussion as either mild or major and create an appropriate treatment plan.
Our assessment process is used to support insurance claims that patients make related to concussions or mTBI.
At our clinic, we understand that every individual experiences their own set of difficulties following persistent/ongoing concussive symptoms. As such, our Clinical Neuropsychologists and Clinical Psychologists will work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan. Treatment will be based on your individualised concerns and symptoms, with strategies and interventions provided to help support your long-term recovery and assist in managing symptoms. Our experienced Clinical Neuropsychologists and Clinical Psychologists provide support for a range of concerns associated with recovery.
While recovering from a concussion, many people experience irregular moods that may be tricky to navigate. We can help you come up with strategies to manage issues such as anxiety, depression, and alexithymia.
One common issue that is encountered during concussion recovery is cognitive impairment, which can make everyday tasks challenging. We can tailor a strategy to help you better manage attention problems, memory issues, slow processing speed, and difficulties with planning and organisation.
After a concussion, it can be challenging to get back into the same routine you are used to. Part of our intervention strategy involves providing support to patients returning to work, school, and community activities.
For further information about our concussion support services, get in touch below:
WHY CHOOSE Bowyer Psychology?
Bowyer Psychology is a boutique clinical and neuropsychological practice in Mount Pleasant. With over 20 years experience, we are an established practice at the forefront in all aspects of psychological services.
We are committed to working with you to identify your concerns, informing you about your treatment and/or assessment, and delivering evidence-based strategies, following best practice guidelines. We provide a warm and understanding approach, working collaboratively with you to achieve your best.
