车祸或工伤事故后的脑震荡后症状

A concussion from a car crash, a fall at work or a knock to the head can leave you feeling foggy, tired and not quite yourself. Post-concussion symptoms are common, and for most people they settle within days to weeks.

For some people, symptoms last longer, especially after an accident that also brings pain, stress and time off work. This article explains what is typical, warning signs to watch for, what helps recovery, and when a neuropsychological assessment may be useful.

What is concussion?

Healthdirect describes concussion as a brain injury caused by a knock or blow to the head, or a sudden change in motion. In a car crash, the head can be jolted even without hitting anything. At work, falls, being struck by an object and vehicle incidents are common causes.

You do not have to be knocked out to have a concussion. Many people never lose consciousness.

Common symptoms

• headache, dizziness, nausea or balance problems
• feeling foggy, slowed down or “not with it”
• trouble concentrating or remembering things
• tiredness, and sleeping more or less than usual
• sensitivity to light or noise
• irritability, anxiety, low mood or feeling more emotional
• neck pain, which is common after a car accident

Warning signs: when to get urgent help

Call 000 or go to an emergency department straight away if, after a head injury, someone:

• loses consciousness, or is confused or hard to wake
• has a seizure
• has a severe or worsening headache
• is vomiting
• has double vision, or weakness in the arms or legs
• has severe neck pain
• seems drowsy, confused or not their usual self

Everyone with a suspected concussion should see a doctor, even if symptoms seem mild.

How long do post-concussion symptoms last?

Healthdirect says most adults get better on their own within 2 weeks, and children usually need longer. The international consensus statement on sport-related concussion, published in 2023, uses the term persisting symptoms for symptoms that last more than 4 weeks.

Research after accidents suggests recovery can be slower when a concussion happens alongside other injuries. A large US study published in JAMA Neurology followed people with mild traumatic brain injury treated at major trauma centres. At 12 months, 53% reported some injury-related limitation in daily life, compared with 38% of people who had orthopaedic injuries without a head injury. This shows that the accident and its effects, not only the brain injury, shape recovery.

Why some symptoms hang around

Post-concussion symptoms are not caused by one thing. After a car or work accident, several factors often combine:

• Pain: neck injuries and headaches can affect sleep, concentration and mood.
• Sleep problems: poor sleep on its own can cause fogginess, irritability and memory lapses.
• Anxiety and trauma reactions: nightmares, flashbacks or fear of driving can follow a frightening crash.
• Low mood: losing work, sport or independence for a while can be hard.
• Balance and vision issues: the inner ear and visual systems can be affected and are treatable.
• Stress: financial pressure and dealing with insurance claims add to the load.

Mental health matters early. A study of adults with mild traumatic brain injury in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that symptoms of depression and anxiety at 2 weeks predicted later difficulties in daily functioning. Getting support for mood, worry and trauma symptoms early is part of good concussion care.

What helps recovery

The 2023 consensus statement is written for sport, but its main messages are useful to know:

• Relative rest, not strict rest: for the first day or two, take it easy with daily activities and less screen time.
• Light activity early: gentle walking that does not more than mildly worsen symptoms can start in the first 24 to 48 hours.
• Gradual steps up: increase activity and mental effort bit by bit. A small, brief rise in symptoms is usually okay. A big or lasting rise means slow down.
• Return to study or work with adjustments: such as shorter days, more breaks, a quieter space and fewer screens at first.

Other things that help include a regular sleep routine, limiting alcohol, staying connected with people, and writing things down while memory and focus recover. Talk with your GP before returning to driving, and follow any advice from your treating team about work duties and safety.

For persisting symptoms, the consensus statement recommends a thorough assessment, ideally by a team from different health disciplines. Depending on your symptoms, this might include your GP, a physiotherapist, a psychologist and a neuropsychologist.

Returning to work

Many people can return to some work while they recover, with the right adjustments. Talk with your doctor and employer about:

• starting with shorter shifts or fewer days, then building up
• regular breaks and a quieter place to work
• written instructions and checklists for complex tasks
• delaying safety-critical tasks, such as driving, working at heights or using machinery, until your doctor says it is safe

If your concussion happened at work, your employer and workers compensation insurer have roles in planning a safe return. Our article on returning to work after a brain injury has more detail.

A simple symptom diary

Jot down your main symptoms each day, what you did, and how you slept. Over a week or two, patterns often appear, such as headaches after long screen use or fogginess after poor sleep. A diary helps you pace activities and gives your doctor useful information.

When a neuropsychological assessment can help

A neuropsychologist measures thinking skills such as attention, memory, speed of thinking and problem-solving, and looks at mood, sleep, pain and fatigue at the same time. An assessment can:

• show whether thinking skills are within the expected range, which is often reassuring
• identify specific problems and practical strategies to manage them
• help plan a safe, graded return to work or study
• point to treatable factors, such as anxiety, trauma symptoms or poor sleep
• provide objective information for your doctor, insurer or lawyer

If your concussion happened in a transport accident or at work, treatment and assessment may be funded through your claim. For example, the TAC’s mental health and wellbeing services include neuropsychology for Victorian transport accident clients on referral from a medical practitioner.

Invictus Health 能提供哪些帮助

Our neuropsychologists provide neuropsychological assessments after concussion and other brain injuries, and medico-legal assessments when a lawyer or insurer needs an independent opinion. Neuropsychology reports are reviewed by Dr Judy Tang OAM. You can self-refer for most assessments, although a claim may need a medical referral for funding.

Our psychologists also offer anxiety and stress counselling, in person in Preston or by telehealth. For costs, see our 费用页面.

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. See your doctor about your symptoms. If you are in danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.