The Hidden Mental Health Impact of Concussions: What You Need to Know

Written By Menley Denham

Concussions are often associated with physical symptoms like headaches and dizziness. However, the emotional and psychological effects are equally significant and frequently a significant part of the “invisible injury” that is concussions. Understanding these mental health implications is crucial for comprehensive brain recovery.

Understanding Concussions and Their Broader Effects

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This movement can disrupt normal brain function, leading to a range of symptoms. While physical effects are well-documented, the emotional and cognitive repercussions can be just as debilitating.

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms Post-Concussion

Many individuals experience mental health challenges following a concussion. These symptoms can emerge immediately or develop over time, sometimes persisting for months or even years.

Depression

Depression is a common aftermath of concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Individuals may feel persistent sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Emotional Symptoms

  • Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • Increased irritability or frustration

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

  • Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally numb or sensitive

Physical Symptoms

  • Changes in appetite (eating too little or too much), weight loss or gain

  • Fatigue or low energy, even after rest

  • Sleep disturbances (insomnia or oversleeping)

  • Slowed speech or movements

  • Unexplained aches, pains, or digestive issues

Cognitive Symptoms

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

  • Brain fog or mental sluggishness

  • Negative or intrusive thoughts

  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Behavioral Changes

  • Withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities

  • Decline in performance at work or school

  • Neglecting responsibilities or personal care

  • Increased use of substances (alcohol, drugs)

  • Restlessness, pacing, or agitation

Studies have shown that depression rates can increase significantly following a TBI, with some reports indicating rates as high as 27% for TBI cases. Individuals with a TBI are also much more likely to develop depression later on in life. Recognizing how brain injuries affect mental health is a critical step in both diagnosis and treatment.

Anxiety

Post-concussion anxiety can manifest as constant worry, restlessness, or panic attacks. The uncertainty of recovery and the fear of re-injury often exacerbate these feelings. Anxiety after a concussion doesn’t just stop there, though. Symptoms of anxiety may not revolve around the injury, but may still be due to the injury’s affects on the brain.

Research indicates that anxiety is a frequent symptom in individuals with post-concussion syndrome (PCS). In one study, nearly 60% of youth with PCS reported anxiety. Anxiety and depression go hand-in-hand after a brain injury, and many symptoms may overlap. 

Emotional Symptoms

  • Constant or excessive worry

  • Feeling overwhelmed or out of control

  • Restlessness or feeling “on edge”

  • A sense of impending danger, panic, or doom

  • Irritability or frustration over small things

  • Feeling tense, jumpy, or easily startled

Physical Symptoms

  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations, shallow or rapid breathing (hyperventilation)

  • Sweating or cold, clammy hands

  • Muscle tension or aches (especially neck, shoulders, jaw)

  • Headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness

  • Nausea, stomach pain, or gastrointestinal issues

  • Fatigue or difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

Cognitive Symptoms

  • Racing thoughts or inability to concentrate

  • Difficulty making decisions

  • Feeling disconnected from reality (derealization)

  • Constant overthinking or rumination

  • Fear of losing control or “going crazy”

Behavioral Changes

  • Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety

  • Withdrawing from social activities or relationships

  • Reassurance-seeking or frequent checking (e.g., health anxiety)

  • Fidgeting, nail biting, or pacing

  • Decreased work or school performance

  • Increased reliance on substances (alcohol, nicotine, etc.)

Healing with Hyperbarics has helped tremendously with post concussion symptoms and my overall anxiety. I am grateful my brain and body receives 100% oxygen while doing treatments!

-Annika K.

Irritability and Mood Swings

Following a concussion, many individuals report heightened irritability and unpredictable emotional responses. They may find themselves frustrated more easily, snapping at loved ones, or reacting strongly to situations that wouldn’t have bothered them before. These mood swings can appear suddenly and without clear triggers, ranging from anger to sadness within short periods of time.

This emotional dysregulation is believed to be related to inflammation and disruption in areas of the brain that manage impulse control and emotional processing. For individuals with post-concussion syndrome (PCS), these changes can be especially persistent, often interfering with daily interactions, family dynamics, and social relationships.

Loved ones may notice a "personality shift," or the individual may feel like they’re constantly "on edge." Without proper treatment and emotional support, this can lead to withdrawal, communication breakdowns, and further mental health strain.

Sleep Disturbances

Sleep is one of the most commonly disrupted functions after a concussion. Some individuals may experience insomnia—difficulty falling or staying asleep—while others may feel an overwhelming need to sleep much more than usual. In some cases, patients report waking up frequently throughout the night or having unrefreshing, light sleep.

This disruption to the body's circadian rhythm and restorative processes can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, and worsened cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness and slowed thinking. Lack of quality sleep also impairs emotional regulation, compounding anxiety, depression, and mood swings that may have already been triggered by the concussion itself.

Cognitive Impairments

Cognitive challenges are a hallmark of both acute concussions and PCS. Commonly reported symptoms include difficulty concentrating, short-term memory problems, mental fog, and slowed processing speed. Patients often describe feeling like their brain is "stuck in low gear" or that they can't think as clearly or as quickly as before.

These impairments are especially troubling for individuals who work in demanding environments, manage households, or are students. Even routine tasks—like following a conversation, managing appointments, or completing paperwork—can feel overwhelming or confusing.

Cognitive symptoms may fluctuate from day to day and are often exacerbated by fatigue or stress. Left unaddressed, they can contribute to reduced confidence, increased anxiety, and social withdrawal.

Treating Concussions at the Root: How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Help

While traditional concussion care often focuses on rest and symptom management, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) offers a different approach—by targeting the root cause of the injury: inflammation and oxygen deprivation in the brain.

When a concussion occurs, the brain experiences cellular damage, reduced blood flow, and inflammation. These changes disrupt normal brain function and are closely linked to the emotional and cognitive symptoms many patients face—such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and memory issues.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Works:

Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which allows oxygen to dissolve more efficiently into the bloodstream and reach injured or oxygen-starved tissues—including the brain. This therapy has been shown to:

  • Reduce inflammation in brain tissue

  • Stimulate the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)

  • Support cellular repair and neuroplasticity

  • Restore oxygen to damaged or dormant brain cells

By turning off inflammation and improving brain metabolism, HBO can help reduce symptoms like irritability, brain fog, anxiety and depression. Patients often report a noticeable improvement in sleep, focus, and emotional regulation within days or weeks of starting treatment. 

Healing with Hyberbarics has changed my life. 8 months post concussion I was still struggling with memory issues, constant headaches, ear pain, balance issues, and blurred vision. After 5 treatments I feel better than I did pre-concussion! Zero headaches, balance has returned to normal, but what I am noticing most is the "brain fog" is completely gone. Hyperbarics has been a total life changing experience for me.

-Lara B.

Real Recovery, Not Just Management

At Healing with Hyperbarics, we treat concussions using the Denham TREAT a Concussion protocol, a personalized, research-informed approach that adjusts to each patient’s symptoms and healing timeline. We don’t just aim to manage symptoms, we aim to heal the brain.

Whether you’re dealing with the lingering effects of a recent concussion or symptoms that have lasted for months or even years, HBO may be the missing piece in your recovery.

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Menley Denham
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