WHEN TO SEEK HELP

Recovery after a concussion happens in stages. Knowing when to seek the right kind of support can make a real difference to how smoothly recovery progresses.

Below is a general guide to what support is most helpful at different points in time.

 

0–2 weeks post-concussion

 

Early recovery & medical monitoring

What’s typical

  • Headache, fatigue, dizziness, sensitivity to light/noise

  • Brain fog, slowed thinking, emotional ups and downs

  • Symptoms may fluctuate day to day

 

What’s most helpful

  • GP or emergency care if needed

  • Medical monitoring and red-flag screening

  • Rest balanced with gentle, guided activity

  • Basic education and reassurance

 

Our role

  • We don’t usually assess cognition at this stage, as results are unstable and often unhelpful.

  • In select cases, we may offer brief education and pacing advice only.

 

 

2–4 weeks post-concussion

 

Early adjustment & monitoring

What’s typical

  • Many people are improving

  • Some notice fatigue, screen intolerance, or concentration issues lingering

  • Uncertainty about “how much is too much”

 

What’s most helpful

  • Clear pacing guidance

  • Avoiding both over-rest and over-pushing

  • Ongoing GP or physiotherapy support

 

Our role

  • This can be an appropriate time for early education and monitoring, if symptoms are creating confusion or anxiety.

  • Formal cognitive testing is still usually limited at this stage.

 

 

4–12 weeks post-concussion

 

Optimal window for neurocognitive assessment

What’s typical

  • Physical symptoms may be improving, but thinking still feels “off”

  • Mental fatigue builds quickly

  • Multitasking, screens, meetings, or work demands are hard

  • Emotional frustration, irritability, or anxiety may increase

 

This is the stage where our service is most helpful.

Our role

  • Targeted neurocognitive assessment

  • Understanding why recovery has stalled

  • Differentiating cognitive inefficiency, fatigue sensitivity, and emotional factors

  • Providing clear psychoeducation and a recovery map

  • Supporting return to work, study, and daily life

 

 

3–18 months post-concussion

 

Persistent symptoms & reintegration support

What’s typical

  • Symptoms have become entrenched

  • Confidence and identity may be affected

  • Avoidance or over-compensation patterns may develop

 

What’s most helpful

  • Targeted cognitive–emotional intervention

  • Rehabilitation-focused strategies

  • Coordinated care with other providers

 

Our role

  • Focused reassessment where useful

  • Structured recovery and reintegration support

  • Addressing cognitive, emotional, and confidence barriers

 

 

18+ months post-concussion

 

Chronic or complex presentations

What’s typical

  • Symptoms are longstanding

  • Emotional and psychological factors often play a larger role

  • Recovery expectations may need reframing

 

Our role

  • Selective involvement to clarify what remains brain-based

  • Supporting adaptation, confidence, and long-term functioning

  • Avoiding unnecessary repeated testing

 

 

A simple rule of thumb

 

If you’re wondering:

“Why doesn’t my brain feel back to normal yet, even though time has passed?”

— that’s often the right time to seek neurocognitive support.