seth8a,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your injury. Your helmet did its job by protecting you from a skull fracture. Helmets have proven to have a limited effect on reducing concussions.

There is no evidence to suggest that your return to cycling caused your PCS. The concerns about returning to activities too soon pertain to risks of Second Impact Syndrome. Most activities just delay recovery. Whether you would have a delayed or longer recovery has more to do with the individual specifics of your injury. Cognitive stress has more influence on recovery than physical stress, especially physical stress that does not cause and increase of symptoms.

You need to learn the specifics of your triggers and struggles. Are you sensitive to groups with multiple voices ? Is it general sound sensitivity ? etc.

You need to get past the idea that you caused your PCS. The anxiety of that false thought is counter to recovery. If you recovery takes a while, that is due to the nature of your injury, not the short delay you may have caused. You only make a concussion worse by suffering another concussion or by chemical insult (intoxication, drug use, etc).

So, find way to slow down and reduce the sensory stimulation in your environment.

My best to you.