Concussion

Mild brain injury, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), mild head injury (MHI), minor head trauma.

What is concussion?

A concussion is the sudden but temporary loss of mental function as a result of an injury to the head, such as a blow or impact.

What causes a concussion?

A concussion occurs when a head injury causes the brain to move out of its normal position. This results in disruption to a part of the brain called the reticular activating system (RAS). The RAS is in the middle of the brain and is responsible for regulating awareness and consciousness. It also blocks out unimportant information to allow you to focus on details you need.

What are the symptoms of a concussion?

The severity of the symptoms of a concussion differ from person to person. Some common symptoms include:

  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Loss of balance
  • A feeling of being stunned or dazed
  • Problems with vision
  • Problems with memory

Have you been affected by a concussion?

If you have been affected by a concussion, The Brain Charity can support you.

We are the only charity in the UK to be here for every one of the more than 600 different neurological conditions in existence. Individually, many are rare, but combined, they affect 1 in 6 people.

We provide practical help on all aspects of living after a concussion, emotional support such as counselling, phone befriending and group therapy and social activities to people with brain injuries from all over the UK from our centre in Liverpool.

Looking to talk to someone?

Woman smiling, making eye contact and holding the hand of another woman to comfort her

Phone us

Contact The Brain Charity now

Our friendly Information & Advice Officers are here to help. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days.

0151 298 2999

Looking to talk to someone?

  • Please tell us which neurological condition you are affected by and what you need support with.

Caring for someone that has been affected by concussion

We support carers, friends and family too

Are you a carer for or relative of someone with concussion? It’s just as important for you to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing too.

The Brain Charity provides free support for carers, friends and family of people with any form of neurological condition, including concussion, from anywhere in the UK.

We also run an additional carers advocacy service for all carers in Liverpool, regardless of which type of condition the person they care for has.

You don’t need to be a formal or registered carer

We can help you even if you don’t view yourself as a formal carer or claim Carer’s Allowance. Find out some of the ways we support carers below.

Carer support from The Brain Charity in Liverpool Practical help

Support for carers

All The Brain Charity's services are free for carers and family members of people with neurological conditions too.
Get help
Introducing The Brain Charity's legal partners Practical help

The Brain Charity’s legal partners

Legal advice you can trust from The Brain Charity's specialist partners.
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Other resources

The Brain Charity's library

The Brain Charity’s library has a range of resources on concussion and on many other disability-related issues.

Visit our library to read:

Or search the catalogue online here.

Support groups

Headway Liverpool

Website:www.headway.org.uk/supporting-you

Phone: 0796 777 0772

Email: headwayliverpool@hotmail.co.uk

Headway Sefton

Website: headwaysefton.com

Phone: 0773 677 4496

Email: headwaysefton@yahoo.co.uk

Headway Health Unlocked

An online community made up of those who have been affected by a brain injury and their families and carers.

Website: healthunlocked.com/headway

Phone: 0808 800 2244

Email: helpline@headway.org.uk

Support groups at The Brain Charity

Are you interested in setting up a concussion support group, or do you already run one? Email activities@thebraincharity.org.uk to let us know.

Alternatively, you can check out our list of related support groups here.

Other charities

The Concussion Foundation

Website: theconcussionfoundation.org

Phone: 0741 275 0965

Headway

Website: www.headway.org.uk

Phone: 0808 800 2244

Email: helpline@headway.org.uk

The Child Brain Injury Trust

Website: childbraininjurytrust.org.uk