Most people are told a concussion is "mild" and that they’ll feel better in a week or two. Many do. But when symptoms linger, people are often left without answers. They’re told their scans are normal, that it’s “just stress,” or to rest in a dark room and wait.

In this episode, I sit down with neuropsychologist Dr. Megie Shean to talk about what actually happens to the brain after a concussion. Where the term "mild" comes from, and why we still use it. We cover why recovery isn’t a straight line and what a thoughtful, whole-person recovery plan looks like. We get into the overlap between brain injury, sleep, mood, and stress. We also explain what neuropsychological testing can tell you that an MRI can’t.

Dr. Megie (Margaret) Shean, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist in private practice. She has more than a decade of experience caring for people with complex medical and psychiatric conditions, with a focus on traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Her work combines neuropsychological assessment, trauma-informed psychotherapy, and cognitive rehabilitation. She also brings in mindfulness and body-based approaches. She previously spent over six years at UCLA as a clinical instructor in Psychiatry and staff neuropsychologist with Operation Mend, treating post-9/11 service members and veterans.

Dr. Shean is licensed in California and Washington and sees patients in many other states by telehealth through PsyPact. Learn more on her website.

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