Post-concussion syndrome, a complex disorder with myriad symptoms, can affect anyone who has had a head injury. If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident in Indianapolis, contact an Indianapolis accident attorney to discuss your legal options for filing a personal injury claim.
Understanding Post-Concussion Syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome is the name given to the host of symptoms that affect approximately 10% of people who’ve experienced a minor head injury. The symptoms, such as anger problems and attention deficit, can linger for months, years or even life.
A concussion can occur after a blow to the head, as in the case of a car accident in Indianapolis. Symptoms can appear 7 to 10 days after the accident, yet the disorder is difficult to diagnose and is often not treated effectively.
Because post-concussion injuries may not appear in traditional medical testing methods, such as CT scans and MRIs, people who try to get medical assistance are often misdiagnosed and labeled a “hot head” or simply treated for mood disorders.
Post-Concussion Syndrome Symptoms After an Accident in Indianapolis
Post-concussion symptoms often overlap with symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder, Adjustment Disorder and several mood disorders.
- Difficulty with attention and concentration
- Fatigue
- Irritability and moodiness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Temper outbursts
- Memory problems
- Impaired problem solving and ability to plan
- Lack of initiative
- Anxiety
- Low frustration threshold and impulsivity
- Communication and socialization problems
- Insomnia
- Self-centeredness or poor self-awareness
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Impaired balance
- Changes in personality
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms after your accident in Indianapolis, you will need to inform your doctor and undergo various testing procedures before beginning a treatment plan. The medical bills can quickly pile up – bills you should not have to be burdened with when someone else was at fault for your accident.
Diagnosing Post-Concussion Syndrome After an Accident in Indianapolis
Post-concussion syndrome is often mistaken for other mood or attention disorders because the symptoms are so similar. Evidence of the injuries may not appear on conventional neuroimaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, and many doctors may misdiagnose the patient as having depression, personality disorders or a psychological disorder.
The best method the medical community has found to identify the syndrome is Quantitative EEG (QEEG), a highly specific neuroimaging test. It is a non-intrusive, objective test that accurately identifies the brain dysfunction associated with post-concussion syndrome by evaluating the brain’s electrical activity.
Treating Post-Concussion Syndrome After an Accident in Indianapolis
Neurotherapy, or EEG biofeedback, works to produce normal patterns of brainwave activity by giving patients audio/visual rewards. During neuropathy, specific brainwave patterns that need to be restructured are identified and normalized. Using this treatment can improve concentration and overall enhancement of mental performance.
Other treatments often used for patients include:
- Pain relievers
- Anti-depressants
- Organizational training
- Personalized memory rehabilitation
Living with this disorder can be difficult to adjust to because it affects so many facets of daily life. If you have not pursued a claim after your accident in Indianapolis yet, it is time to contact an Indianapolis accident attorney; you owe it to yourself to begin moving forward with your case and with your life.