Myth: You must lose consciousness to have a concussion.
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FACT: Most concussions involve disorientation, but not a loss of consciousness. In fact, loss of consciousness only happens around 10% of the time when a concussion occurs (when this happens, medical attention is required).
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Myth: You can only sustain a concussion if you get a direct hit to the head.
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FACT: A hit to the head is not the only way an individual can sustain a concussion. A concussion may be caused by a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or a blow elsewhere on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head. Concussions can occur from hits to different parts of the body of varying magnitude.
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Myth: If I have a concussion, it will lead to permanent brain damage.
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FACT: There are many causes to degenerative brain disease. Scientific studies are learning about the relationship between concussions and brain disease and while there is a relationship, a concussion does not cause brain disease.
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Myth: Concussions aren’t a big deal. An individual with a concussion or a suspected concussion doesn’t need to go to the emergency room.
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FACT: Anyone showing signs of a suspected concussion should seek assessment from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or healthcare professional with relevant training. If the person shows any of the Red Flag Symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care immediately.
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Myth: A person with a potential concussion can return to sport, play, or normal activity the same day if they are feeling okay.
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FACT: If a person has a suspected concussion, they should NOT return to sport or activity the same day. They should be seen by a medical professional and/or monitored for delayed symptoms for 48 hours.
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Myth: Complete recovery from a concussion only takes 2 to 3 days.
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FACT: Concussions typically resolve within 4 weeks; however, up to 30 percent will continue to experience persisting symptoms beyond this period. Persisting symptoms have the potential to cause long-term difficulties. If there is no improvement or symptoms are worsening 2-4 weeks after a concussion, physician referral to an interdisciplinary clinic is recommended, where available.
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Myth: A person needs to stay in bed and rest for at least a week to recover from a concussion.
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FACT: The recovery process for concussion begins with relative rest for a maximum of 2 days, followed by a gradual and well-managed return to activity. This is best done in collaboration with key individuals in the person’s life, such as healthcare providers, family members, friends, employers, teachers and school staff, coaches, etc.
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Myth: You have to keep someone with a concussion awake
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FACT: It’s a common myth to keep someone with a concussion awake, as long as they’ve been assessed and cleared by a medical professional. Rest, including sleep, is essential for brain recovery. Waking someone repeatedly can actually interfere with healing. However, if symptoms worsen—such as vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness—seek emergency care immediately.
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Myth: If you don’t have symptoms immediately, you don’t have a concussion
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FACT: Concussion symptoms don’t always appear right away—they can take hours, days, or even a week to show up. While early signs may include confusion or headache, delayed symptoms like sensitivity to light, sleep issues, irritability, and fatigue are also common.
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Myth: Helmets prevent concussions.
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FACT: Helmets do not prevent concussions—they protect against skull fractures and more serious brain injuries. A concussion can still occur from the brain moving inside the skull during sudden impacts or whiplash. Helmets can reduce the severity of a blow, but they must be properly fitted and maintained to be effective.
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Myth: Treating an adult for concussion is the same as treating a child.
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FACT: Helmets do not prevent concussions—they protect against skull fractures and more serious brain injuries. A concussion can still occur from the brain moving inside the skull during sudden impacts or whiplash. Helmets can reduce the severity of a blow, but they must be properly fitted and maintained to be effective.
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Myth: All concussions are the same.
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FACT: As many professionals say, “If you’ve seen one concussion, you’ve seen one concussion.” Concussions can affect people in very different ways—impacting memory, mood, balance, vision, sleep, or even heart rate. No two injuries are exactly alike, which is why personalized assessment and care are key to proper recovery.
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