ABSTRACT
One of the consistent threads throughout the special issue was the relative dearth of research regarding psychological issues associated with concussion. Psychological issues such as changes in behavior and mood following a concussion may emanate from micro-structural, connectivity, and metabolic changes to the brain following injury. In contrast, some patients may experience psychological responses to changes associated with their concussion such as disrupted schedules, social isolation, and frustration with longer than expected recovery. Sleep difficulties may be a symptom of or result in psychological issues following concussion. An emerging personality trait that may influence psychological responses to concussion and overall symptom burden following injury is somatization. Most concussion symptom inventories such as the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale include very few items that assess psychological symptoms such as anxiety, sadness, and irritability. Although licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists and social workers, often provide the bulk of psychological care for athletes following a concussion, psychiatrists may also serve as a referral.
