Post-concussion syndrome Post-concussion syndrome is a complex disorder whose symptoms may consist of headache, dizziness, fatigue and irritability that can last from a week to months after a head injury. The causes can be a traumatic blow to the head or neck injuries in which the patient should not lose consciousness. The effect of an injury can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. Dealing with post-concussion syndrome can not only have a physical effect, but also a psychological one (Mayo clinic page 2). The cause of post-concussion is still a mystery. Sometimes doctors have given the diagnosis of PTS or Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and vice versa. According to the text, Mild Head Injury, "Many investigators believe that 55 percent of the male hospitalized patients and 61 percent of the female hospitalized patients all had cases of mild head trauma." Doctors also believed that the patient's injuries must be severe enough to cause him to lose consciousness, which may consist of post-traumatic amnesia or a temporary loss of motor skills (Mild Head page 9). Sudden impacts to the head and neck areas and sports-related injuries can cause temporary or permanent effects on the brain. In most cases of post-concussion syndrome, the effects to the brain are temporary, but more severe cases can cause severe brain damage. To diagnose the severity of the head injury there are three categories, called the Glasgow Coma Scale or GCS. The range is 15 to 1, which ranges from minimal to permanent levels of damage (Minor Injury, page 25). The more severe the concussion, the more damage to the brain and disruptions to neurotransmitters that send messages to the cerebellum that controls muscle tone and memory…middle of paper…players of life. This is what happens when you know something is wrong but you can't describe the feeling. When you have to face reality there is no cure for everyday problems. Works cited PageCoon, Dennis., and Mitterer, O. John, “Psychology a Journey Fourth Edition.” California: Wadsworth, 2008, 2011. Print.Levin, S. Harvey. Ed. Eisenberg, M. Howard. Ed. Benton, L. Author. “Mild Head Injury” New York: Oxford University Press, 1989. Print.McCrea, A. Michael. “Mild Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Syndrome: The New Evidence Base for Diagnosis and Treatment” New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. “Post-Concussion Syndrome” mayoclinic.com May 22. 2010 http://www.mayclinic.com/health/post-concussion-syndrome/DS01020/METHOD=print“Post-concussion syndrome”Wikipedia.com May 22. 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-concussion_syndrome