For all of these phases, there is no set timetable as individual differences and the injury itself will cause variations. Instead, consider these as general guidelines.

1. Acute Symptoms Phase

This phase is brief, usually less than three days. It includes the immediate experience at the time of injury, through what are usually your maximum symptoms.

During this first day or two, rest is very important. After the first couple of days though you should start to return to light thinking activities (watching television, listening to music, reading for pleasure or short amounts of schoolwork) and light physical activity (short walks or activities around the home).

During this phase, notice what makes your symptoms worse, and try to avoid or limit those triggers or activities. Adequate restful sleep is important in this phase.

If you experience increasing difficulties, like worsening confusion, difficulty staying awake, ongoing vomiting, convulsions, increasing headache or neck pain, or increasing feelings of agitation you should go to the emergency room to be checked out.

2. Recovery Phase

During this phase acute symptoms are decreasing and you will be able to start engaging in more intense activities without your symptoms worsening. Eventually your symptoms should resolve.

Limited exercise, such as walking, may be beneficial. Continue to identify triggers of symptoms and try to reduce these.

3. Recovered Phase

This is the phase in which you are now recovered. The goal now is to identify and treat other issues, such as neck injury causing neck pain, or sleep difficulties affecting focus.

Age is an important factor in determining the timing of recovery. Most people over age 18 recover in about two weeks. In comparison, normal recovery in children 18 and younger is about 30 days.

There are people who continue to experience difficulties that can extend long past these timelines. In these cases their conditions is often characterized as post-concussive disorder.

An early diagnosis of concussion can help clarify what is happening to you and can reduce anxiety, as your clinician can help normalize your experience by explaining what you are likely to go through.

Please remember, the information provided on this page is not a substitute for appropriate care from a specialist.

• An assessment of your thinking skills, including a clinical interview and examination of your attention, speed of information processing, executive functions, learning and memory, language skills, and visuospatial skills.

• It assists with diagnosis and provides a clear picture of your general strengths and weaknesses and the changes that can occur as a result of brain injury or illness.

• It provides in-depth, patient-friendly reports reviewed with you.

In most cases, insurance will reimburse for neuropsychological assessment. It is important to check with your particular insurance provider to verify this.

At Insight Neuropsychology we are Medicare providers. Please note, Medicare does not require a physician referral to make an appointment.