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Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA)<br />
If you are in a coma as a result of a brain injury,<br />
afterwards you may have Post Traumatic Amnesia<br />
(PTA). Even mild concussion can cause a short period<br />
of Post Traumatic Amnesia.<br />
Someone emerging from a coma does not just wake<br />
up like in the movies, they go through a gradual<br />
process of regaining consciousness. This stage of recovery may last for<br />
hours, days or weeks.<br />
This may be a very confusing time for you. You may not have any idea<br />
of time, talking may be difficult and you may be very tired. Behavioural<br />
changes can also affect you. For example, some people become passive,<br />
or aggressive, abusive and agitated after being in a coma during the PTA<br />
stage. Some people liken PTA to being in a dream-like state.<br />
Some medical professionals believe that the duration of PTA is the best<br />
indicator of the severity of a brain injury.<br />
You will have little awareness of these behavioural and cognitive<br />
impairments and usually will remember nothing of what happened<br />
during PTA, even though you were fully awake. The good news is that<br />
PTA does not last for ever.<br />
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Amnesia:<br />
No idea of time<br />
Talking may be difficult<br />
You may be tired<br />
Your behaviour may change - aggressive, abusive,<br />
agitated<br />
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