Concussions are brain injuries that occur when a person
receives a blow to the head, face, or neck. Although most people who
suffer a concussion experience initial bouts of dizziness, nausea, and
drowsiness, these symptoms often disappear after a few days. The
long-term effects of concussions, however, are less understood and far
more severe. Recent studies suggest that people who suffer
multiple concussions are at a significant risk for developing chronic
traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disorder that
causes a variety of dangerous mental and emotional problems to arise
weeks, months, or even years after the initial injury. These psychological problems can include
depression, anxiety, memory loss, inability to concentrate, and aggression. In extreme cases, people
suffering from CTE have even committed suicide or homicide. The majority of people who develop these
issues are athletes who participate in popular high-impact sports, especially football. Although both new
sports regulations and improvements in helmet technology can help protect players, the sports media and
fans alike bear some of the responsibility for reducing the incidence of these devastating injuries.
Improvements in diagnostic technology have provided substantial evidence to link severe—and
often fatal—psychological disorders to the head injuries players receive while on the field. Recent
autopsies performed on the brains of football players who have committed suicide have shown advanced
cases of CTE in every single victim