KathrynR,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

You have been dealing with some misunderstanding about concussions. There is no standard recovery time. Most, some say 85%, recover in the first 6 weeks. The rest are all over the map. Primary care docs are usually clueless, as you have experienced.

YES, concussion can make anxiety and depression much worse and easier to trigger. Sensitivity to stimulation often triggers anxiety reactions. Sounds, voices, lights, other visual stimulation/clutter, and such can over-stimulate the brain and kick it into a fight, flight or freeze response.

Your neck issue is what I call a subtle neck injury. They do not show up on most imaging but they are real. The treatment is simple. Treat the neck as if it is injured and see if there are improvements. One treatment is to have a physical therapist do some gentle traction and mobilization, followed by icing.

Most important is your posture discipline, especially when you are resting or sleeping. Maintaining a straight head and neck position can be a challenge but is worth the effort. It can take weeks and even months to see improvement as the ligaments need to strengthen and tighten.

Chiropractors can help if they use gentle techniques. No twist the head and pop the neck. That is too aggressive for most. Some find an Upper Cervical Chiro can help. Check the Vitamins sticky at the top for links to Upper Cervical chiros.

Regarding your syncope (fainting), you could have a vasovagal dysfunction. They can be random and hard to diagnose. Some have cervical issues than cause a sudden dip in vertebral blood flow with a head/neck movement. Are you truly just nauseous at the events or is it also some vertigo that leads to nausea ? Inner ear issues can be the starting point. Has the ENT tried the Epley maneuver ?

I have to be careful when I start a movement from rest. Too many directions of movement at the same time can lead to a splat on the floor. I have to initiate movement more carefully. If I am getting up from a chair, I have to move/lean forward then move vertically/stand up in 2 separate movements.

You say you tick every box for PCS. What other symptoms are you struggling with most ?