Concussions in High School: Lingering Problems Years Later?

Have you ever brushed off a concussion because you felt "fine" after a few days? Maybe you got cleared to play, went back to school, and moved on with life. But now, years later, you're noticing things that don't quite add up: busy stores feel overwhelming, driving is harder, you get tired faster, or you just feel off. You're not imagining it, and you're not alone.

Here's the truth: untreated concussions can absolutely cause problems years later, even if you felt like you recovered at the time. The good news is you can still improve, even a decade or more after the injury.

When you had that concussion in high school, you might have been told to rest for a few days, avoid screens, and return when the headache subsided. Once you felt better, you were cleared. But feeling better isn't the same as being fully healed.

Your brain can compensate. You adapt. That allowed you to function, but subtle changes in how your brain processes movement, balance, and sensory input may have never been properly addressed.

Research shows that even a single concussion can lead to long-term functional changes in brain function, and those effects can show up or worsen years later. The vestibular system (inner ear and brain networks that control balance and spatial orientation) is particularly vulnerable, and without rehabilitation it can leave lingering issues that affect daily life.

Common patterns we see—especially in people in their 30s and 40s who had head trauma years earlier—include:

• Feeling overheated or easily flushed

• Needing more frequent breaks or getting tired more quickly after being out

• Feeling "off," dizzy, or unsteady with quick movements, head turns, or bending over

• Difficulty in visually busy environments like grocery stores or malls

• Driving that feels harder, especially on highways, at night, or in traffic

• Travel (flying or long car rides) leaving you wiped out or disoriented

• Increased irritability, anxiety, or stress compared with before

• Brain fog, trouble concentrating, or memory issues

These symptoms are often connected to a prior head injury—even if it felt resolved at the time.

We frequently see people who had concussions years earlier report worsening symptoms during pregnancy or postpartum. Pregnancy brings hormonal shifts, changes in blood volume and pressure, postural changes, sleep disruption, and the physical stresses of labor and recovery. Those changes can unmask or exacerbate vestibular and sensory-processing issues that were previously compensated for.

That doesn't mean you're broken—it means your system is signaling it needs help.

If a doctor told you "everything looks normal," you're not alone. Standard imaging like MRI or CT often won't show the subtle functional changes after concussion. Your symptoms are real even when scans are clear. Vestibular and post-concussion issues are often about how the brain processes information, not visible structural damage. That's why specialized vestibular testing and clinical assessment matter.

This is important: it's not too late. Even if your concussion happened 10–15 years ago, vestibular rehabilitation and targeted therapy can be effective. The brain retains capacity for adaptation and relearning, and with the right interventions you can retrain balance, improve processing of motion and visual input, and reduce symptoms.

Treatment is individualized. Typical components include:

• Balance and stability retraining exercises

• Gaze-stabilization exercises to reduce dizziness with head movement

• Desensitization to motion and busy visual environments

• Strategies to manage fatigue, brain fog, and sensory overload

• Education about why symptoms occur and how to manage them

The aim is to reduce symptoms, restore function, and give you tools to feel confident and steady again.

If this sounds like you, don't wait. The longer symptoms go unaddressed, the more entrenched compensations can become. But even then, improvement is possible. You deserve to move through your day without constantly managing symptoms or second-guessing your body.

Call a clinician who specializes in vestibular and concussion rehabilitation to schedule an evaluation. A personalized plan can identify specific deficits and target them with proven therapies.

[1] Cognitive FX. "Long-Term Concussion Effects, Treatment & More." 2023. https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/long-term-concussion-effects

[2] "Long Term Consequences: Effects on Normal Development Profile after Concussion." PM&R. 2011. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3208826/

[3] Duke University School of Nursing. "Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Concussions in Adolescents." 2025. https://nursing.duke.edu/news/understanding-long-term-effects-concussions-adolescents