5 Brutal Truths About Post-Concussion Syndrome I Wish I Could Share With My Younger Self
I hit my head almost nine years ago, and my life hasn’t been the same since.
I don’t remember bouncing my head off frozen pavement, but it left me with a concussion and whiplash. I was probably unconscious for no more than a minute or two. There were no witnesses, so we can’t know for sure.
If I could go back and sit my younger self down for a reality check in the months after the fall, these are five things I’d tell him.
One note: I’m not a doctor or any kind of medical professional. This article isn’t medical advice, only reflections on my own experience as a post concussive. If you’ve hit your head, see a doctor. Like, now.
1. Most people who get a concussion will heal and be back to normal relatively quickly. Unfortunately for you and everyone who loves you, you’re not most people.
The majority of people who get a concussion recover within a month, but a small number don’t. These people have Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS). Their concussion symptoms—which can include headaches, blurred vision, balance problems, muscle pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and many more—persist, usually for weeks or months, but sometimes for years. The…
