Originally Posted by Vania

Hi Ben,

I agree with the previous answers. As a complement:

1) Your friend did not give you a concussion or subconcussive impact. Even professional boxers do not always cause damage when they hit hard. The blow that you suffered from is very very far away from a punch by a boxer. Rugby players often smack each other quite hard on the head after scoring a try (to congratulate their teammates). They do not get damage from that.

In my case, I realized that the resurgence of headaches after a small hit was sometimes due to increased tension in the neck (because of anxiety). Have you tried to relax this area and ice it?

2) DECIDE that you will keep living your normal life even if you feel unwell these days. Give yourself an objective, invest some pride / ego in it. "I am anxious, and in pain, but I have a strong willpower, and I am going to show it by going to the university / learning this stuff / talking to my friends as if nothing happened. I will stop and rest only if the symptoms do not let me go on, but not preventively." I know that this sounds childish, but this kind of self-talk helps me sometimes, as it shifts the focus from my feelings / pain to the objective I gave myself.

3) Tell your friend not to do it again, but be happy and grateful to have friends who are that happy to see you.

4) Please feel free to send me an email in private if you want to talk.

Take care.
Vania