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North Dakota Brain Injury Network

  1. NDBIN
  2. Brain Injury In North Dakota

Brain Injury Next Steps

You or someone you care about has experienced a head injury. You may be feeling overwhelmed, confused, or unsure what to do next. That's okay.

Your healthcare team is your first call for medical questions in the days immediately after a head injury or concussion. The North Dakota Brain Injury Network (NDBIN) is here for what comes after, especially if symptoms last longer than expected or daily life becomes harder.

NDBIN helps people with brain injury, families, caregivers, and professionals find information, free support, and resources in North Dakota.

What Recovery Usually Looks Like

For most head injuries and concussions, symptoms improve on their own over a few days to a few weeks. Most people feel better within 3-4 weeks. Some people, especially older adults or those who have had a brain injury before, may take longer to recover. Signs and symptoms of a brain injury can persist over time.

In the first few days and weeks, your healthcare team is the best place to bring questions about your symptoms, medications, or when it is safe to return to work, school, sports, or driving. Follow the instructions they gave you at discharge.

Reaching Out to NDBIN

NDBIN can help if symptoms last beyond about four weeks, or if daily life is harder than you expected. We can help you think through next steps, find services, and connect you with people who have been through it themselves.

You can contact NDBIN sooner if you are unsure where to go for help, or if you are feeling overwhelmed trying to find resources on your own.

You do not have to wait until things get worse. You may contact NDBIN at any point during recovery. It may be especially helpful to reach out if symptoms are lingering, getting worse, or making everyday life harder.

Important Note: If symptoms are new, severe, worsening, or concerning, contact a healthcare provider or seek urgent/emergency care. NDBIN is a support and resource connection, not a substitute for medical evaluation.

Free support options for North Dakotans affected by brain injury include:

Someone to talk to. If you are unsure what to do next, a resource facilitator can listen to your situation and help you think through possible next steps. This may be helpful if symptoms are lingering, daily life feels harder, or you are trying to understand what resources may fit your needs. You can be connected to a facilitator in your area who knows the local services and providers.

Help finding services. NDBIN can connect you with resources in North Dakota, including healthcare, rehabilitation, community services, support groups, school or work supports, and other services that may be relevant to your situation.

Peer support. Brain injury can feel isolating. Peer support can connect you with others who have been through brain injury and understand some of the challenges of recovery.

Brain injury screening. Some people have symptoms or life changes that may be connected to a past brain injury, but have never been formally checked for one. NDBIN can provide brain injury screening and a checklist of common symptoms to help understand whether brain injury may be part of the picture.

Information and education. NDBIN provides educational resources about brain injury, brain injury symptoms, and life after brain injury. These resources can help patients, families, caregivers, and professionals better understand what may be happening and what questions to ask next.

Support for family and caregivers. Brain injury can affect the whole family. NDBIN's Caregiver Corner can help family members and caregivers find information, support, and resources as they adjust to changes in memory, mood, sleep, behavior, independence, school, work, or daily life.

Suppport for children and teens. NDBIN's Youth Educational Services can help with return-to-school planning, return-to-play decisions, and school accommodations after a head injury. Parents and caregivers are welcome to contact NDBIN with questions about a child or teen's recovery.

Noticing Changes

You may notice changes before the person with the injury does. After a concussion or brain injury, a person may not always recognize how symptoms are affecting daily life. Family members, friends, teachers, coaches, coworkers, and caregivers may notice changes in mood, memory, sleep, energy, behavior, or ability to manage responsibilities.

You can contact NDBIN even if you are not the person who had an injury. NDBIN supports individuals with brain injury as well as families, caregivers, and professionals.

You may want to reach out if:

  • You are unsure how to support someone after a brain injury.
  • Symptoms are causing stress at home, school, or work.
  • The person seems different, but you are not sure whether it is connected to the injury.
  • You need help finding services, support groups, or educational resources.
  • You are feeling overwhelmed as a caregiver.

Caregivers

Caregivers are vital to the successful rehabilitation of individuals with a brain injury. It is important that caregivers not only learn about brain injury and treatment methods, but that they learn to care for themselves.

Caregiver Resources

NDBIN Resources

Explore more brain injury information and support.