Abstract
BACKGROUND: The consequences of mild traumatic brain injury have been well described and are considered to be benign symptoms. So far, little is known about the chronicity of the symptoms (post-concussion syndrome) and about the treatment of the symptoms. AIM: To review the consequences of mild traumatic brain injury and the course and treatment of the post-concussion syndrome for the purpose of improving treatment. METHOD: Recent literature was reviewed and the findings were integrated into the existing knowledge about post-concussion syndrome. results The literature reveals a dichotomy in the interpretation of post-concussion symptoms - they are regarded as being psychogenic or neurogenic. The description of the post-concussion syndrome in terms of a disease process is not new, but has been largely neglected in the literature, and represents an attempt to integrate the extreme positions. CONCLUSION: Scientific research into post-concussion syndrome has given considerable attention to diagnostic issues, but has given much less attention to the development of treatment. Future research into the treatment of the post-concussion syndrome should result from the integration of current viewpoints and a description of the syndrome in terms of a disease process.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-116 |
Journal | Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2009 |