Irritability After Concussion – Why it Happens and How to Fix it.
Concussions come in all shapes and sizes and present with various symptoms. Dizziness, headaches, cognitive function, and brain fog are just a few. Of the most troubling is irritability after a concussion. Days to weeks after the injury, many find it hard to manage emotions and stay level-headed, resulting in relationship challenges or problems at work. This article will uncover why you’re irritable after a concussion and some recommended therapies to help manage it as the injury heals.
What Causes Irritability After a Concussion?
Irritability after a concussion can arise from various biomedical and psychological mechanisms, including
1: Neuro-inflammation
2: Neurotransmitter Imbalance
3: Trauma to brain regions associated with cognition
4: Ongoing stubborn symptoms
5: Emotional stress from a prolonged recovery
Below are more complete descriptions of each.
– Neuroinflammation
When the brain undergoes trauma, such as from injury or disease, it can provoke an inflammatory response that the body needs to heal. However, this inflammation can also interfere with the brain’s normal functioning. Specifically, it can affect the communication between neurons and reduce the capacity to process information at the average level. After a concussion, the brain finds it difficult to process a heavy load of information when it is still inflamed upon returning to regular activity.
– Neurochemical Imbalance
A concussion can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters, which help regulate emotions and mood. These include serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. When the brain experiences a concussion, it can disrupt these chemicals, affecting a person’s mood, emotions, and overall mental well-being. This disruption in neurotransmitter balance can contribute to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, and other mood-related issues following a concussion. It can also fatigue tasks, making everyday activities harder to finish.
– Trauma to Brain Regions Associated with Cognitive Processing
When a concussion occurs, it can result in trauma to these crucial brain areas, leading to difficulties in cognitive function, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Many of these areas can be localized to the frontal lobes of the brain, which are heavily involved with high-level thought and managing complex emotions. Think of it like the brain’s CRO. The disruption in these cognitive processes can contribute to heightened irritability, impatience, and difficulty sustaining critical thinking.
– Ongoing Stubborn Symptoms
Irritability can worsen after a concussion due to stubborn symptoms that persist despite the passage of time. When an individual experiences lingering symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or cognitive difficulties, it can lead to frustration and impatience. It can also lead to a physical stress response due to the ongoing discomfort of having symptoms that persist daily.
Furthermore, people around you make things worse by saying things like, “You’re still dealing with that!?” or “My concussion healed in a few weeks.” While roughly 80% of concussions do heal on their own, the 20% with prolonged recovery deal with the physical and emotional toll of symptoms that do not resolve. Furthermore, they will often see several doctors for their symptoms and still have issues that don’t seem to respond. This can accumulate into frustration and impatience, further driving irritability.
– Emotional Stress
The emotional stress associated with the injury and its aftermath can also contribute to irritability after a concussion. Coping with the physical and cognitive effects of a concussion, along with the uncertainties surrounding recovery, can leave a person feeling stressed and hopeful. The worry, anxiety, and frustration related to the time it takes to heal and the potential long-term impact of the injury can lead to heightened irritability. The emotional stress from disrupting daily routines, hobbies, work, and relationships can further increase irritability. It is crucial to address the emotional aspects of the recovery process to manage this symptom effectively.
Symptoms Associated with Irritability After Concussion
Irritability after a concussion can manifest alongside various symptoms, intensifying the emotional distress experienced by individuals. Such symptoms often include:
– Small annoyances that would typically be brushed off might cause significant anger, increasing anger and frustration.
– Impatience: A reduced tolerance for delays or minor inconveniences.
– Impulsive Behavior: Acting without thinking about the consequences.
– Interpersonal Difficulties: Challenges in maintaining calm and constructive interactions with others.
Recognizing these associated behaviors is crucial for individuals and their caregivers to seek appropriate interventions.
Strategies for Managing Irritability After a Concussion
1. Medical Assessment
Getting a comprehensive assessment by a trained specialist is critical to effectively addressing irritability after a concussion. It is essential to rule out any potential complications or underlying issues contributing to the irritability. A healthcare provider should conduct a whole battery of tests to evaluate the individual’s overall health and well-being and assess the symptoms experienced post-concussion. This thorough evaluation may involve neurocognitive testing, imaging studies, and in-depth discussions about the individual’s emotional and psychological state. Based on the results, the practitioner may recommend adjustments to the existing medications or treatment plans to address the symptoms of irritability better and ensure a holistic approach to recovery.
2. Psychological Counseling
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of counseling can be beneficial in managing emotional responses and developing coping strategies. CBT helps individuals recognize and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to irritability. By working with a trained therapist, individuals can learn practical techniques to reframe their thinking, regulate their emotions, and develop practical problem-solving skills. In addition to CBT, counseling can allow you to express your struggles, gain insights into their emotional responses, and learn healthy ways to communicate and interact with others. Engaging in counseling can also offer valuable support and validation, which is particularly important for individuals recovering from a concussion and navigating the emotional challenges associated with their injury.
3. Stress Management Techniques
In addition to figuring out why you have irritability after a concussion, it’s essential to incorporate relaxation practices into the recovery process. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can effectively help manage stress and reduce irritability.
Meditation is a well-established relaxation tool that is great for promoting emotional well-being. By setting aside a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness meditation, individuals can learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can help reduce irritability and emotional reactivity. Deep breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing or body scans, help you relax by activating the body’s natural relaxation response, reducing stress, and promoting a sense of calm.
Incorporating these relaxation practices into the recovery timeline gives you several reliable tools that help reduce irritability and promote overall emotional well-being during the healing journey after a concussion.
4. Adequate Rest and Sleep
Ensuring plenty of rest is crucial for allowing the brain to heal and recharge. Sleep disturbances can significantly exacerbate irritability and stress, so addressing any issues affecting your sleep is essential. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine, such as turning off electronic devices an hour before bed and creating a calming atmosphere in the bedroom, can help promote better sleep. Additionally, practicing good sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine and night-time meals, can positively impact your sleep quality.
5. Regular Exercise
As approved by a healthcare professional, engaging in physical activity can positively impact mood and stress levels. Exercise releases endorphins, chemicals acting as natural painkillers and mood elevators. These chemicals reduce stress while promoting an overall sense of well-being. Additionally, regular exercise can contribute to better sleep quality, increased self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment, all of which can help alleviate irritability and improve mood after a concussion. Follow the guidelines outlined in the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Protocol for a more specific outline of how hard it is to exercise.
6. Setting Realistic Goals
Recovery is a gradual process, and it’s important to acknowledge that it takes time to heal fully. We can gauge progress and sustain motivation by setting small, attainable goals. This approach can assist in managing any feelings of frustration and impatience, as we can see that we are making tangible strides toward recovery. It’s about recognizing the small victories and understanding that each step forward, no matter how small, is a positive achievement.
7. Communication and Social Support
By openly communicating your needs and feelings with your family, friends, and coworkers, you allow them to understand your situation and offer the support you require. This transparency fosters a supportive environment where others can empathize with your challenges and provide your assistance. Open communication allows people to share their progress and articulate how others can help. This shared understanding can strengthen relationships and create a support network to lean on during difficult times.
8. Nutritional Support
Foods rich in omega-3 acids, antioxidants, and vitamins B, C, and E can help improve cognitive function and maintain overall brain health, including various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet. These provide nutrients that support brain function. Stabilizing your blood sugar through small, consistent meals can also help regulate mood and reduce irritability. Consuming foods like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens can contribute to an overall sense of well-being and decrease feelings of irritability.
Conclusion
Irritability after a concussion is a common and troublesome complication of a concussion. It happens for various reasons, all of which have their unique strategy for relief. This article helps you understand why it’s happening. It gives you some helpful tools to help manage irritability through recovery. Post-concussion symptoms are not a life sentence. They often require a particular intervention you may still need to find. Remember: the world of concussion care is still relatively new, and the standard of care is often not up to what some need for a full recovery. Continue to educate yourself, advocate for yourself, and hope you’ll find the answers you need.
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*Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Patients should consult their medical provider or primary care physician before trying any remedies or therapies at home.
