Hi, Bryan,

So sorry to hear of your struggles. I was a teacher and also tried to push through my struggles. Although it's high-stress in a very different way from law enforcement, in the end it also proved to be too much for my brain to handle, and I've been off work now for the better part of two separate school years. It's very frustrating not to be able to do what you're trained to do and what you love.

Here are some natural things I've found to do that can help strengthen the brain:

- Eat a whole foods (clean eating) diet high in omega-3s and tryptophan. Take 3 tbsp of ground flax seed in juice every morning for a complete daily dose of both and then whatever you eat during the day is bonus. There is a thread with more details about brain-friendly nutrition here: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...d.php?t=165807

- Be sure to stay well hydrated. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily (i.e. if you weigh 100lbs, drink 50 oz. of water).

- There are also hot and cold water treatments you can do to increase circulation to the brain. In the shower, alternate 3 minutes of hot water with 1 minute of cold for at least 3 cycles. The greater the temperature contrast, the greater the benefit (just be sure not to scald yourself). Don't get the very hot water on your head, but do get it on your shoulders. Cold water is okay to get on your head. Always end on cold.

- Sunlight through the skin is good for vitamin D and through the eyes is good for melatonin (sleeping at night).

- Listening to baroque music (such as Bach) can help strengthen frontal lobe function (provided it does not increase symptoms).

- Exercise (even light exercise such as walking) can reduce harmful biochemicals and release endorphins. Again, be sure you are keeping it gentle enough to avoid symptoms.

- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and other non-prescribed drugs.

- Avoid or strictly limit television, video games, smart phone, and computer usage.

- Get fresh air daily and take 10-20 minutes specifically to do deep diaphragmatic breathing.

- Try to have regular times for sleeping and waking.

- Connect with spiritual practice, even something as small as making a list of 3-5 things you are grateful for.

These things will strengthen the brain naturally and shouldn't interfere with any medications or treatments your doctors want to use.

Medically speaking, the two things that helped me the most were having my vision evaluated for vision therapy and seeing a physiatrist. Physiatrists specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation, which many of us have found to be more helpful than neurologists, who mostly focus on identifying what is wrong with you (Concussion! Thanks, already knew that!)

Since you are having trouble with your ears and balance, your physiatrist may be able to refer you to vestibular or other occupational therapy to help with that. You may also be able to get some cognitive therapy to help with your personality issues.

These links may help you find practitioners in your area.

http://www.braininjuries.org
http://www.nora.cc
http://www.aapmr.org/patients/findph...s/default.aspx

Hope you're able to find something that helps. It's so frustrating when the symptoms just linger on and on and it feels like nothing is helping.