One of the most common challenges of a brain injury happens after the initial blow or jolt. These after effects are usually called post-concussion syndrome (PCS). If you’re experiencing post-concussion syndrome, it’s important to have access to the right resources. That’s our goal here at the Brain Injury Resource Center.
What is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, post-concussion syndrome (PCS) applies to any effects that last longer than three months, but can last longer. It’s a complex condition that can develop after any traumatic brain injury (TBI), but is most commonly associated with a concussion.
How Does Post-Concussion Syndrome Manifest Itself?
Not all brain injuries come with cuts, bruises, or broken bones. That’s one of the reasons they’re often misunderstood. You can look “fine” on the outside but still struggle daily with symptoms that impact how you think, feel, and relate to the world around you.
People with PCS often experience:
- Memory lapses
- Mood swings or personality changes, especially anxiety, depression, or irritability
- Trouble focusing or staying organized
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Neck pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty handling everyday tasks or social interactions
These changes can show up alone or in clusters, and they often affect multiple areas of the brain. The result? Life feels harder, slower, and less familiar than before.
What Can I Do With Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Outside of treatment, there’s a few ways that PCS is going to have an ongoing role in your life. The reality is that living with PCS can feel frustrating, unpredictable, and isolating—but there are things you can do to take back some control and start moving forward:
- Give yourself grace – PCS recovery isn’t linear. Some days will feel better than others. Don’t rush yourself or expect to bounce back overnight. Rest–mental, emotional, and physical–isn’t a luxury right now, it’s a necessity.
- Create a routine – Fatigue and memory issues can make everyday tasks harder. Setting up a low-stress daily routine–consistent wake/sleep times, small meals, short walks, and screen breaks–can help restore a sense of structure and stability.
- Track your symptoms – Write down what you’re feeling each day—headaches, brain fog, mood swings, sleep problems. Patterns can help both you and your care team understand what’s helping and what might be making things worse.
- Ask for help when and where you need it – Whether you’re at work, school, or home, it’s okay to ask for what you need. That might mean a quieter space, more breaks, help with errands, or modified duties. PCS is invisible, but that doesn’t mean your needs are less real.
- Stay connected with your support system – Social withdrawal is common with PCS, especially when you feel misunderstood. But connection–even just one or two people who “get it”–can help ease the emotional toll. Consider support groups, both in person and online.
What the Head Injury Resource Center Can Do:
We’re here to connect individuals and families with resources that help make life with PCS more manageable. That includes information on treatment options, referrals to specialists, cognitive rehab support, and tools for moving through work, school, and relationships after a brain injury.
If you’re living with ongoing symptoms after a concussion or TBI, we’re here to help you make sense of what’s happening–and find a way forward.
