For most people, the symptoms of a concussion go away within a few weeks. However, for reasons that experts do not completely understand, some individuals have concussion symptoms that last for longer, sometimes even more than a year after the injury. Some of the most common symptoms suffered by those who have acquired post-concussive syndrome are headache, dizziness, and sleep problems. Other symptoms can include memory loss, depression, ringing in the ears, and sensitivity to noise and light.
Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome, and the condition often afflicts individuals who are over the age of 40 at the time of their injury. Those who have been previously diagnosed with psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder are also more likely to suffer from lingering concussion symptoms.