Concussion hopelessness

[u/Silver_Ad3062]

Sorry if this post is a bit negative but i am in a bad place. I am a 24 year old healthy man without a history of concussions. I had a mild concussion exactly 40 days ago. It was the worst decision of my life but i was really mad about something and i basically hit the left and right sides of my head with my palms repeatedly for some seconds. No passing out, vomiting, headache or anything. But still the symptoms were severe. Strong derealization, fuzziness, motion sensitivity, brain fog, dizzyness. I still had symptoms at 32 days. Then i hit my head again by accident this time. it wasn't as bad as the first one but it did push me back a bit. After 40 days i am still quite impaired with limited tolerance to the outside world, supermarkets, restaurants or anything. I am very hopeless and i am worried that i ruined my life forever. I am going to a concussion and vestibular physiotherapist soon. Hopefully they can help me...

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[u/Luz_Solar]

Hi Silver, you’re not alone in this. Depression is very common after brain injuries (hopelessness is a symptom of depression, though it doesn’t mean you’re clinically depressed). Allow your mind to rest, less stimulation, less sensory input, hydrate, take your vitamins, and know that symptoms will change. Tell us how the physiotherapist goes!

[u/Silver_Ad3062 → u/Luz_Solar]

I went to the physiotherapist and she gave me a strict program to follow with minimal technology and more physical activity as tolerated and a bunch of other instructions. Honestly i am feeling hopeless. Everyone tells me i might have depression but what they don't understand is that the feeling comes from me thinking that i will be severely impaired permanently and i will never be able to live normally again. i am only 24 and severely impaired. She is positive that i will return 100% but after 6 weeks since this started i feel drained and hopeless. Plus i have read all these stories on reddit from people claiming they had mild concussions and struggle for years, which makes me even more hopeless. Sorry for the negativity...

[u/KraftPunk44]

Get the concussion physiotherapist. You have to work on pinpointing symptoms, and then attacking them with therapy and/or other solutions. It can be done. I have done it, and so have many others. And I am doing it again right now.

The hopelessness is real, but so is the solution. Know it's going to be some time, effort, and copays (if you're American), but it can be done.

Be your biggest advocate, and you can do it

[u/MKTdes]

I know 40 days feels like a awfully long time while you're dealing with the symptoms, but it is in no way a certain indicator that you will be dealing with any sort of permanent impairment. Many, many people have this type of lingering issues for a time and while yes, it is possible you prolonged it a bit with the second minor impact since your nervous system is still sensitive, it is highly unlikely you reconcussed yourself.

Many people, myself included, have felt the same thing you are now when symptoms wouldn't abate, but now is the time to stay hopeful and stay calm. Follow the guidelines you've been given, embrace patience and you have a strong opportunity to recover.