hardconcussionsports-psychiatrypost-concussion-syndromeathletic-identityneuroinflammationcognitive-deficitsrepetitive-head-injury
A 20-year-old male college football player is referred to the PMHNP six weeks after sustaining his third concussion in two years. He was cleared by the sports medicine team for return to play but has not resumed practice because of persistent symptoms. He reports difficulty concentrating in classes, irritability that has caused conflict with his girlfriend, disrupted sleep with frequent awakenings, and a pervasive sense that 'something isn't right.' He describes feeling emotionally flat, has lost motivation for football for the first time in his life, and becomes overwhelmed in noisy environments such as the dining hall. He scored 12 on the PHQ-9 and 10 on the GAD-7. Neuropsychological testing shows mild deficits in processing speed and working memory relative to his pre-injury baseline. He expresses fear about his football career and identity as an athlete. The PMHNP is evaluating the psychiatric sequelae of repetitive concussion in this patient. Which of the following most accurately reflects the evidence-based assessment of psychiatric symptoms following sport-related concussion?