The brain consists of several networks that work together to produce our daily thoughts, behaviors and actions. Those networks slow down and become inefficient when you experience a concussion, impacting daily function. While people who experience a concussion – also called a mild traumatic brain injury – typically recover within a few weeks, a very small percent may experience more severe symptoms.

Below, Nebraska Medicine neuropsychologist Kate Higgins, PsyD, ABPP-CN, discusses:

• Typical concussion symptoms
• Duration of concussion symptoms
• Signs that indicate a more severe brain injury and when to seek immediate medical care

Typical concussion symptoms

Symptoms of a mild or typical “run of the mill” acute concussion include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion or trouble focusing
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Foggy or not feeling right
• Memory loss right around when the impact happened
• Loss of balance
• Loss of coordination
• Looking dazed or stunned
• Behavior and mood changes

Duration of symptoms

Generally, the brain can heal itself relatively quickly. Research suggests that recovery typically takes:

• Two to three weeks for college-age and older
• One month for high-school age or younger

“There’s a lot of misinformation claiming that it takes years to recover from a concussion, but most people recover within two to four weeks,” says Dr. Higgins. “Of course, everyone is different, and for some people, the brain struggles to recover the more concussions they have.”

In addition to repeat concussions, the following factors can impact recovery time:

• Mood disorders or depression
• Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD
• Sleep problems and disorders
• Stress or anxiety

The sooner a concussion is treated, the faster the recovery. Research also shows that receiving care from someone with specialized training in concussions improves outcomes.

“It’s important for anyone evaluating a patient with a brain injury to consider all the symptoms and possible contributors,” says Dr. Higgins. “For example, if a patient with a concussion also has an untreated sleep disorder, it will make recovery more difficult because sleep is one of the primary things the brain uses to heal. In this case, the sleep disorder must be treated along with the concussion for the patient to heal.”

Concussion red flags and when to seek care

While most concussions don’t require a trip to the emergency room, some situations need immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room if you or your child experiences the following red flags. They could be signs of a more serious brain injury.

• Loss of consciousness for longer than 30 minutes
• Headache that gets worse
• Repeated vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
• Unusual behavior
• Inability to recognize people or places
• Inability to be awakened

“If a person appears ‘different’ after hitting their head, it’s a good idea to get them checked out by someone trained in managing concussions. A trip to the doctor the following day is usually sufficient, assuming they don’t have any red flags,” says Dr. Higgins.