Cognitive Problems

What is a cognitive problem?

After a concussion, you might notice changes in your cognition. Cognition refers to the mental processes that happen in our brains that allow us to think, concentrate, remember, process information, and make decisions, among other things.

Symptoms of cognitive problems may last longer and be more severe if a person has other pre-existing conditions such as:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Learning disabilities
• Anxiety or mood disorders
• Sleep and/or fatigue problems
• Pain

Some cognitive problems you could experience after a concussion might include:

• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Finding it hard to remember information
• Difficulty having conversations (e.g., finding words to express yourself, following a conversation)
• Being slow to process information (e.g. what you read or what people say to you)
• Feeling “foggy” or confused
• Finding it hard to plan, to start, or to complete tasks
• Changes in your judgment or decision-making abilities

**This is not a complete list. Cognitive problems can look different for every patient and there are many types of cognitive problems.

What can I do to treat cognitive problems?

Treatment for cognitive problems will be different depending on the symptoms you have. It might include early management strategies that you can learn to do on your own such as pacing or taking short breaks.

It might include working with rehabilitation specialists such as an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Speech Language Pathologist (SLP).

Treatments can help you learn ways to cope with your cognitive problems and work around them. They can also help reduce prolonged symptoms so that you can slowly return to your normal roles and activities at home, work, and school over time.

For prolonged cognitive symptoms your health care provider may consider using a drug called methylphenidate, which can help people improve their mental focus. This may be an option for people if their health care provider finds that other treatments are not working.