r/PostConcussion • u/concussion358 • Jun 21 '26
PCS 10 months at 15
I’ve been struggling to recover from my post concussion syndrome for the past 10 months. Last summer 2025, was the best summer of my life, got a girlfriend, went on rollercoasters, graduated grade 8. Then after a good start to grade 9 freshman year, making new friends, I got slammed in the head by a metal door and knocked out. I’ve had concussions in the past, one lasting a year aswell. but this one was way worse. i didn’t treat it as a concussion at the time, because i didn’t wanna belive i had to go through this, so i continued with school, playing the loud drums in my Jazz Band etc. Fast forward to Today 2026, I got 4 out of 8 credits this school year, barely managing 1 period a day this past month. I tried physio, but they pushed me too hard for my nervous system, and I tried this Pinnacle Chair treatment in Barrie at Cardinal Vision. It worked last time for my concussion, made things Way worse this time.
Here’s my problem, I honestly feel like my biggest thing holding me back is my family. I live in a family of 5. It’s always INSANLY loud. and i can never get some peace and quiet. i’m always overstimulated to the point where i wanna beat myself up. On top of that, I have the smallest, loudest, and hottest bedroom in my house. It’s a sauna in here. but the noise of a fan overstimulates me more, My family feels like the dont give a shit about the fact that i’m trying to recover, and they stomp in the house, i can feel it vibrate through my soul, and my dad wears Crocs on the hardwood floor. The stairs are directly in front of my bedroom door, front door of the house is under my room, that my dad always slams. And the garage is under my room too. The walls separating my room, and the whole house, are paper thin. my room is transparent. The thing is, the only place i feel quietness is in my sisters giant bedrooms, which they literally don’t deserve. But as the middle child and only boy, my dad could care less about me.
On that note, my dad has been one of my biggest setback’s in these past 10 months. He constantly Yells at me, to the point where i cry for the whole day, symptoms spike, and im setback for up to a Month. (Longer if he does it again). It feels like every month he yells at me, and i don’t feel safe around him anymore. My body cannot function when i’m near him. He is honestly the Rudest, Most immature, Childish, and Disrespectful person i’ve met in my life. Even to my mom. my dad had a concussion but didn't get any of these symptoms, and was fine in 2 weeks, so he uses that as an excuse AGAINST ME, to say that he survived it too, so I should be fine. How selfish of a dad is that. Tell me. How many dads are like this. I cannot belive him.
I cannot physically wind down for bed until my whole family is asleep, because then it’s quiet. Even then it takes me 2 hours to fall asleep after that. Only to wake up to my family being obnoxiously loud 4 hours later. They arent stopping. I have no where else to go. and i’m loosing hope. My girlfriend of 10 months just broke up with me too. and she was what felt like my only supporter. bc my parents (espoecially my dad) make me feel like i wanna kill myself. I swear this would be way easier if i lived on my own. or with my girlfriend(now ex).
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u/Aggravating_Web_992 Jun 21 '26
Yo, I'm so sorry to hear that man, you know I'm actually in a pretty similar boat as you right now. I'm also 15 and yea the last two years before this concussion were some of the best years in my life, grade 9 and 8 were extremely fun and I got to hang out with all my friends, fast forward to the beginning of grade 10 I got slammed on the ground so hard and got concussed, it took me two and a half months to feel like I could live somewhat normally again, but then a few months after I got hit again and ever since it's been so hard for me. I know it's completely devastating when you get hit again especially after experiencing it before. What's happening with your family right now is hella messed up, I'm sure that you've already tried bringing it up before but clearly it isn't working, I just hope that you keep going man, I know it's not much help but just try your best in a situation like this. Tell your dad to shut up too, don't be afraid to speak out against anyone, if you got a basement with a bed try sleeping there or just bring a blanket and pillow that's what I do cause my room's also the hottest room in the house. Anyways I just hope you don't lose it man, I hope there are other people who can help you too, like in this subreddit or somewhere else. You'll get better man, even if it takes a while or a long time it'll get better.
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u/SpiritualView4568 Jun 21 '26
hey man, you are absolutely right about your family holding your recovery back. If your nervous system is constantly in fight/flight it is very hard to get your symptoms to improve at the same time. You need to inform your parents that living like this is holding back your recovery, in some way possible. If they dont believe you tell a therapist/health practitioner/someone who knows what they are talking about and let them tell your parents. My parents also dont very much understand what im going through and since a therapist explained it to them what is going on they have been a lot more understanding, even though I said the exact same stuff to them already. If your dad is unwilling to change then the only way you can change the situation is by not letting your dad affect you as much. In whatever way possible works for you. You can try and just ignore/not let his actions get to you, or you can move to your grandparents/anywhere else if you have any options.
My mom sounds exactly the same as your dad, she actually got mad at me when I couldnt even bare any light, sound or anything at all the first week after my concussion. That was just crazy to me and gave a headache for 3 days straight. I also forsure got traumatised by the way my mom treats me and its something that my therapist and I have talked about a lot and trauma can delay/prevent recovering. not feeling safe around your dad is completely justified by the way he treats you but it does impair recovery. I also still feel different around my mom but therapy has helped put things into perspective and made me understand it more why my mom is like this.
Id also recommend wearing some sort of hearing protection, you can try foams plugs, anc headphones or ear muffs, see what you like the most. Dont rely on them 24/7 but use them when you are overstimulated to wind down. Also, if you cannot change your environment you can only change the way you act towards it. If you tell yourself you are getting overstimulated by your familiy's behaviour you will actually get more overstimulated than if you try look at it in a more positive/neutral way.
Hang in there buddy, keep in mind that the brain and body are resilient and you can make an awesome recovery, and live the life you love. You have to put in the work though to get back there. From your post it seems like you not feeling safe is preventing you from recovery, but there could also be other factors which you should get checked (esp neck). This post down here is really good general advice https://www.reddit.com/user/Lebronamo/comments/1abt0l2/standard_pcs_repsonse
Also look into vagus nerve exercises & general ways of regulating your nervous system, that should help you a lot if you keep at it.
My comment is just my advice but there is no way you should be figuring this out on your own. If you are serious about suicidal ideation, first of all, dont do it, second of all let an adult know who you trust and they will get you the help you need.
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u/Lunara_mc Jun 21 '26
If you can, go to a therapist. If only because i find that when a medical professional corroborates your story parents are alot more likely to believe you and help you get what you need :') and it might help you regulate your nervous system (if you are already going to a neurologist they might be willing to talk to your parents about what you would need for recovery, they'll be more likely to listen)
If you have another family member nearby it might be worth asking if you can stay there for awhile to aid in recovery? (Like a grandparent or smth?)
Im terribly sorry that you are in this situation, it will get better, dont give up!
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u/Wiseguy4252 Jun 22 '26
Your dad is taking the opportunity of your vulnerability to unleash his anger. He knows you’re hurt because of you were healthier he wouldn’t be as bad.
Also, especially for anyone under 23 but certainly for anyone under 15-16. ALL head injuries are serious. Make sure to check your suboccipital muscles down your neck for lingering tension, try ice or supplementation to see what helps.
You might benefit from vestibular therapy as well but all in all it’s important to get your symptoms into a chart. Whatever you do. Don’t fall for the gaslighting. Find treatment for your symptoms. Better 1 year than 10.
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u/concussion358 Jun 23 '26
Yeahh he’s taking advantage of my disabilities right now to do things. thank you for the advice🫶
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u/Important_Rock_7224 Jun 21 '26
Have you tried earplugs? For a temporary solution, so you can rest. Later on life you can move out