Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of teenagers will recover within 1 month. There are about 11 to 30 percent of people who may still be symptomatic at three months depending on the severity of injury and risk factors.

If you feel your symptoms are not improving in the first couple of weeks, seek professional help early to treat your symptoms.

Each person is unique and factors such as your genetics, the way your brain got hit, and your symptom severity all factor in. Out of 100 people, we know that 11 to 30 of them will likely still have symptoms by 3 months. We cannot predict each individual’s recovery path but you will be able to return to all your activities once your symptoms subside.

While you are recovering, do not participate fully in your sport until you have been cleared by a medical professional, especially if your sport is a contact or collision sport. It is your personal decision, weighing the benefits and risks with your doctor, parents and coaches, to withdraw from a sport after your recovery.

Yes! After a few days students should try to return to school part- time. Tell your school and teacher you have had a concussion and make a plan for Returning to School.

No, there is no evidence that it does. There are rare exceptions for people who already have learning disabilities, ADHD and intellectual challenges.

Each recovery is different. If you have persistent symptoms, such as headaches, anxiety, sleep disturbance, vision symptoms or ringing in your ears after three months, it is very important to get help from your doctor. These symptoms are treatable and you do not have a brain injury. See Concussion: Persistent for more details.

One of the most important things you can do to avoid another concussion is to not return to contact sports or risky activities too early. Get medical clearance for return to sports and high risk activities and look at your activities to see how you can make them safer.