The is a big difference between the exposure as therapy protocol and the moderated return to life that most suggest. Few support the idea of a dark room and retreating from stimulation.

Most, especially here, understand that concussions increase the tendency for anxiety and depression. The challenge is that many are predisposed to anxiety and depression prior to their concussion. These people have a serious struggle. They often are reluctant to accept the negative impact anxiety has on their recovery. When they accept that their depression and/or anxiety needs attention in order to move forward with recovery, recovery usually starts to happen. Getting stuck in the mud of depression and/or anxiety not only prolongs recovery but it can make symptoms and disabilities worse.

Many doctors and other professionals see concussions as an industry and want to over treat. OT, VT, ST, and PT can be over prescribed, often in a shotgun method. The challenge is the common goal of therapists trained in using metrics to chart improvement or lack thereof. This can be anxiety inducing. Many in the concussion industry push the idea that every symptom needs to be treated versus many symptoms need to be allowed time to heal.

Our modern day impatience of 'Doctor, fix me, now.' only makes recovery more of a struggle. Many of the best recoveries come when the person has learned patience. They have ah ha moments when they realize, 'Ah ha, I haven't noticed xyz symptom in N weeks.' or 'I forgot my ear plugs and was able to handle the noise of that restaurant.'

Journaling, whether personally or having a therapist or doc continually ask about symptoms can get in the way.

As I often tell people. Stop checking to see if you have any symptoms. But, therapist usually start every session asking about symptoms.

Other than being a form of hand holding for the concussion patient, there is not much evidence that shotgunning therapies improve recovery times. But, the concussion industry knows they can bill for these therapies.

Taking a slower and individual approach often pays more recognizable dividends. Vision can cause balance issues that get a vestibular therapy focus. Without resolving the vision issues first, the vestibular issues can persist and become frustrating.

If you spend some extended time reading about the experiences many NT posters have with 'concussion specialists,' you would see why a generic referral to OT is just that, generic. OT can do more to help a patient understand that their symptoms are real and to not fight them than to provide a healing therapy. Many with PCS are confused as to whether they are some sort of crazy or they have valid dysfunctions.

Experts have found that accepting and having a basic understanding of what these strange symptoms are so that one does not fight against them but instead moves forward by moderating them is the best way to improve.

btw. I have had PCS for 53 years. I have been under a doctor's care for concussions since 1994. I have been researching concussions seriously since my last in 2001. I have seen hundreds struggle with doctors and therapists, especially the shotgun approach. The common experience is less therapy is usually better. Understanding our symptoms so we can seek targeted therapy is usually best. Baby steps are often needed.