Living with a concussion
When you have a concussion, you may be faced with short-term and/or long-term challenges. This includes changes to your abilities, work, and relationships with family and friends. This may cause a lot of emotions including stress, anger, depression and even grief. With support from your healthcare team, your community, family, and local brain injury association, you can begin to understand how to manage living with a concussion.
This section of our website covers the kinds of changes you may experience, management tips, and information on the kinds of tools and services that can help you and your family navigate living with a concussion.
- Adjusting to the new normal
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After a concussion, things may never go back to the way they were. It will take some time to cope with that fact and adjust to what many people call the ‘new normal’. The new normal may include your routines and abilities.
- Relationships after brain injury
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Relationships with partners, family and friends are impacted by brain injury and concussion. These changes can be challenging, but it is important to do what you can to maintain your relationships for your overall health and happiness.
- Social life
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Social life can be impacted by concussion. A lack of socialization can lead to increased isolation and even contribute to mental health problems. Having an active social life may look different after an injury, but it is possible.
- Nutrition
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Nutrition is an important part of concussion recovery because both the brain and body need proper nutrients in order to heal. The food we eat supplies us with energy and nutrients that our brain and body use to complete physical, cognitive, and mental activities.
- Sleep
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It's common after a concussion to struggle with sleep. Sleep problems can actually make symptoms of concussion worse, so it's important to develop a healthy sleep hygiene routine.
- Assistive devices and technology
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Assistive devices and technology are anything that helps make activities of daily living (ADLs) easier and increase quality of life.
- Substance use
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Substance and opioid use can have a direct relationship with concussion and brain injury. They can both increase the risk of concussion and exacerbate concussion symptoms post-injury.
- Finances
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Finances can be a source of stress after concussion, particularly if you are unable to work. Understanding your finances and applying for financial assistance may be able to help you.
- Aging
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The process of aging can both impact people with long-term concussion symptoms and increase the risk of concussion.
- Insurance
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You may be eligible for some insurance coverage based on the cause of your injury and the policies you have in place.
- Driving after concussion
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After a concussion, you may not be able to drive for awhile, or you may have to get recertified.
- MedicAlert
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Brain Injury Canada has a partnership with MedicAlert to bring awareness to brain injury in Canada and provide support to survivors through MedicAlert services.
