Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA)

Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) is the stage of recovery after a period of unconsciousness when the injured person is conscious and awake but is behaving or talking in a bizarre or uncharacteristic manner.

Symptoms may include:
- Loss of memory
- Inability to recognize familiar people
- Confusion, agitation, distress, anxiety
- Uncharacteristic behaviors like violence, aggression, swearing, shouting, disinhibition; or quiet, docile, loving, and friendly
- Tendency to wander

While distressing for family and friends to experience, it is important to remember that PTA is a phase of recovery that will pass. It may last from a few minutes to several weeks or in rare cases, several months.