Can a Head Injury Cause Adult ADHD Symptoms

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Discover how head trauma can trigger ADHD symptoms in adults and explore brain-based strategies to restore focus and impulse control.

If you’re struggling with focus or feeling more impulsive and restless, it can seem like these symptoms are coming out of the blue. Even if you never had ADHD as a child, you can still experience ADHD symptoms as an adult. But most people aren’t aware of a common hidden issue that can lead to the development of attention problems in adulthood.

What’s the underlying issue? For some people, it’s head trauma. People who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI)—even a mild head injury—are at a significantly higher risk of developing focus and attention problems.

In fact, a 2020 study found that people with a history of TBI are more than twice as likely to develop ADHD symptoms compared to those without head trauma. 

Research has found that people with a history of TBI are more than twice as likely to develop ADHD symptoms compared to those without head trauma.

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In this blog, you’ll gain insights into post-concussion ADHD symptoms, common signs that ADHD symptoms may be from a past head injury, and brain-based strategies to improve focus and attention.

CAN A CONCUSSION CAUSE ADHD?

Head injuries, including mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) that don’t cause a concussion and don’t make you lose consciousness, can lead to the onset of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. (ADHD was formerly more commonly known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). Today, people often use the terms interchangeably.)

Research shows that people who suffer concussions have significantly higher rates of inattention and impulsivity compared to those with no head trauma.

Unlike childhood ADHD, a neurodevelopmental condition that is present from an early age, ADHD after traumatic brain injury develops later in life as a direct result of brain damage. This distinction is crucial because treatment approaches for TBI-induced attention problems may differ from those for traditional ADHD.

COMMON ADHD-LIKE SYMPTOMS AFTER A HEAD INJURY

If you’ve experienced head trauma in the past, you may be wondering: Does head trauma lead to attention problems? The answer is yes.

The link between brain injuries and ADHD symptoms is well-documented. Research shows that even mild head injuries can damage areas in the prefrontal cortex of the brain responsible for executive functions like attention, concentration, impulse control, and organization—leading to ADHD-like symptoms in adults.

Here are some examples of ADHD symptoms that may develop after a concussion or TBI:

  • Trouble focusing and sustaining attention – Difficulty staying engaged in conversations or tasks at work, home, and even in your relationships.
  • Increased impulsivity and poor decision-making – Acting without thinking, difficulty with patience, or trouble resisting distractions.
  • Forgetfulness and disorganization – Losing track of tasks, misplacing items, and struggling with daily planning.
  • Difficulty following through on tasks – Starting projects but not finishing them, procrastination, and lack of motivation.
  • Emotional dysregulation – Increased mood swings, frustration, and irritability, even over small issues.

A 2023 study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that people with a history of concussions were significantly more likely to experience these executive function impairments later in life, reinforcing the connection between head trauma and ADHD symptoms.

Press Play to Learn About ADHD Symptoms Related to Head Inuries

In this video, social media entrepreneur reveals that he thought he had ADHD until he got a brain SPECT scan at Amen Clinics. Find out about his real diagnosis.

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WHY POST-CONCUSSION ADHD IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED

One of the biggest challenges in addressing ADHD after traumatic brain injury is that many adults don’t connect their symptoms to a past injury. You may not think that falling off your bike, hitting your head on the steering wheel in a car accident, or repeatedly hitting soccer balls with your head could have lasting consequences. But they can.

Without knowing what to ask or share, it can be difficult for your doctor to see the connection at first. A concussion from years ago may seem unrelated to any current concentration issues, leading to misdiagnosis.

Traditional ADHD diagnostic methods rely on behavioral questionnaires. Most psychiatrists never look at the brain when making a diagnosis. This means that TBI-related ADHD symptoms are often mistaken for lifelong ADHD, anxiety, or even depression.

Another major distinction is that stimulant medications, commonly used to treat ADHD, don’t always work for those with TBI-induced attention problems. Since brain injuries affect blood flow and brain connectivity differently, treatments need to be tailored to the individual.

Related: 9 Frequently Asked Questions About ADD/ADHD

SIGNS THAT ADHD SYMPTOMS MAY BE RELATED TO A HEAD INJURY

If you’re wondering if ADHD symptoms may be related to past head trauma, here are some key questions to consider:

  • Have you ever had a concussion or head injury, even a mild one?
  • Did any focus, impulsivity, or emotional regulation issues begin after a head injury?
  • Have you noticed worsening attention problems over time?

Brain imaging, particularly SPECT scans, can be a valuable tool in differentiating traditional ADHD from brain injury-related attention problems. Unlike standard brain scans, SPECT imaging shows blood flow and activity levels in different brain regions, revealing hidden injuries that could be causing ADHD-like symptoms.

If you suspect that your focus issues stem from a past head injury, working with a brain specialist who understands the link between brain injuries and ADHD is critical for getting the right diagnosis.

THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF UNTREATED TBI-INDUCED ADHD

Ignoring ADHD symptoms caused by head trauma can have serious consequences. Studies show that untreated post-concussion ADD is linked to:

  • Higher rates of anxiety and depression – Emotional dysregulation from TBIs can contribute to mental health challenges.
  • Difficulties in work and relationships – Struggles with focus and impulsivity can impact career success and personal connections.
  • Increased risk of substance abuse – Many people who struggle with untreated TBI-induced ADD symptoms often self-medicate to cope with attention deficits and emotional instability.
  • Development of mood disorders – Research shows that people with post-concussion ADD symptoms have a higher likelihood of developing mood disorders, highlighting the importance of proper treatment.

HOW TO IMPROVE FOCUS AFTER A TBI

While the effects of head trauma can be frustrating, there are ways to support brain health and restore your focus.

  • Brain-boosting nutrition – Anti-inflammatory foods, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants help repair brain cells. Research suggests that DHA, a key component of Omega-3s, improves cognitive function in individuals with TBIs.
  • Exercise and movement – Physical activity increases blood flow to damaged brain areas and promotes healing. Studies show that moderate aerobic exercise improves cognitive function in TBI patients.
  • Cognitive therapy and neurofeedback – Brain training exercises can help improve attention and impulse control.
  • Supplements for brain recovery – Magnesium, B-complex vitamins, and GABA have been proven to support cognitive function and relaxation.
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) – This noninvasive therapy has been shown to improve brain function in TBI patients by increasing oxygen supply to injured areas.
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive brain regions involved in how concussions affect attention and impulse control as well as treatment of depression.

Implementing these strategies can help you mitigate mild head injury and focus issues. You can even use some of these to treat head trauma and ADHD symptoms in the long run.

Related: Neurofeedback: Natural ADD Treatment with Outstanding Results

NEXT STEPS: HOW TO GET THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

If you suspect your ADHD symptoms are from a head injury, the next step is to seek a thorough brain-focused examination.

Unlike standard ADHD assessments that rely heavily on questionnaires, a comprehensive evaluation including brain SPECT imaging can help reveal hidden injuries. SPECT scans can reveal low cerebral blood flow and activity that may be contributing to other mental issues.

By taking a brain-based approach to ADHD symptoms, you can regain control of your focus, emotions, and brain health.

We're Here To Help

ADHD, head trauma, and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we provide personalized, science-backed treatment plans designed to target the root causes of your symptoms. Our 360-approach includes brain SPECT imaging, clinical evaluations, innovative therapeutic techniques, medications (when necessary), and holistic lifestyle recommendations to promote the health of your brain, body, and mind. Speak to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
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Founded in 1989 by double-board certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist Daniel G. Amen, MD, Amen Clinics Inc. (ACI) is known as the best brain and mental health company in the world. Our clinical staff includes over 50 healthcare specialists, including adult and child psychiatrists, integrative (functional) medicine physicians, naturopaths, addiction specialists, forensic psychiatrists, geriatric psychiatrists, nutritionists, licensed therapists, and more. Our clinicians have all been hand-selected and personally trained by Dr. Amen, whose mission is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. Over the last 35-plus years, ACI has built the world’s largest database of functional brain scans—over 250,000 SPECT scans on patients from 155 countries—related to how people think, feel, and behave.

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