post-concussive psychiatric problems
 

I've had cumulative concussions (through soccer) and have been dealing with PCS for almost a year. I'm 20 and have always been a happy kid with no previous psychiatric problems.

I have struggled with extreme suicidal depression almost immediately after my concussion and also anxiety and panic attacks. Depersonalization is also a problem from time to time, especially when I am really fatigued and disoriented. Lately I feel as if I'm not even in my body and I have no control over what I am doing. I have been extremely impulsive and also doing things that are self-destructive.

I'm seeing great sports concussion neurologists/neuropsychiatrists. I have other symptoms but these are the ones that are the toughest to deal with. Just wanted to see if anyone has similar struggles...

Welcome! I truly feel your pain....I generally was a very positive, upbeat person prior to PCS and have struggled with anxiety and depression for nearly a year now since I sustained my concussion. I too get the depersonalization feelings if I am very fatigued or in a lot of pain.

It sounds like you have a good team of professionals on board. What are their thoughts?

Just wanted to say hello and let you know that you are not alone! :)

I suffered from mild depression before my concussion, but it definitely increased in intensity after the concussion. I increased my dose of prozac shortly after the concussion and subsequently also began taking amitriptyline for the headaches (which is an older anti-depressant, so presumably it could also have some psychiatric benefit).

Even on these two medications, I have had a couple of truly scary episodes of despair and suicidal ideation in which none of my well-practiced cognitive behavioral strategies could seem to pull me back from the edge. A tiny slice of my conscious mind knows that it's temporary and that I don't always feel like this, but emotionally I feel absolutely overwhelmed and like I am drowning.

Fortunately, my husband has been there and very supportive during those moments, and I have bounced back by the next day both times.

I have been seeing a therapist (social worker) for some time but did just look up info for a neuropsychiatrist who I think I will call this week.

It is very scary, and I imagine even more so if you have never experienced any depression before.

I struggled with depression and suicidal ideation for 15 years after my concussion at 10 years old. I was helped by a psychiatrist who got me on my nutritional supplements regimen. He pulled me from the depths of despair to normal depression free in less than 8 weeks with just B-12 shots and oral nutritional supplements.

The concussed brain has an serious need for good nutrition. B-6, B-12, niacin, all of the anti-oxidants, Omega 3's are all helpful. The brain needs to detoxify. It can't do this quickly without nutritional help. It takes a month or two for the improvements to become evident. You doctors should be doing everything possible to help you while this improvement happens. Unfortunately, most anti-depressants take up to six weeks to get to maximum effectiveness.

Mark in Idaho - is there a certain time of day that is best to take these supplements? I have been advised to add several of these, along with a D supplement, but did not ask about the time of day. I just don't want anything to interfere with what little sleep I am able to get at night!!

Thanks,

Nolefan

I take everything with breakfast. Some say to take them at a variety of times during the day but I do not have a memory and discipline to do that.

I take a handful of 24 pieces. Five pieces are medication. The rest are supplements.

Search my post from long ago and you will find my regimen.

I am a true believe because my wife can tell when I have missed a few days.

Like Eowyn, I had dealt with mild depression in the past pretty successfully - in my case, with a combination of strategies (meditation, fish oil and other supplements, exercise, and finding a good therapist, to name a few). After my concussion, I had a number of depressive/anxious spikes, mainly during setbacks. These were just awful - no two ways about it. However, these spikes have become much less frequent and less severe, no doubt because I've progressed a fair bit in my recovery. I also believe that good nutrition and and an appropriate supplement regimen is important. Having the support of my girlfriend has been a huge factor as well. But I know that depression will always be a risk factor for me, and will require monitoring and intelligent strategies.

I forgot to mention another issue. Stay away from excito-toxins. They are caffeine (maybe a single serving per day) and glutamate. MSG (mono-sodium glutamate) and anything with processed soy in it should be avoided. Processed soy has free-process glutamate in it. It messes with the brain's glutamate sensitivities.

Processed soy... like tofu?

Yes, any of the processed soy products use fermented soy. Soy nuts and other whole soy foods are OK.

If you are eating tofu to avoid animal fats, then you are also limiting your brain's access to some valuable amino acids that are hard to get in non-meat foods.

To make matters worse, very low cholesterol levels can be counter-productive to brain health. Parents who try to feed their infants, toddlers and young children very low fat diets also are risking their brain development.