Ask the Experts?
 

I recently read a biography of the 19th century English poet John Clare. At one point it talks about a concussion he suffered falling out of a tree when he was young. It goes on to suggest tentatively that this injury may have caused unseen long term damage which may have contributed to his being diagnosed with mental ilness in later life.

So next time your neurologist tells you that you must just have depression because a concussion couldn't be causing your longer term symptoms, or that a concussion doesn't cause long term organic damage, why not ask if you can be referred to a literary biographer? It seems they have a better grasp of the evidence base surrounding head injury! :D

Montaigne is another literary figure who had a significant head injury when he was knocked off his horse (in his 30s, I think). According to one biographer, it played an important role in the development of his philosophical worldview. '"I still feel the effect of the shock of that collision," [Montaigne] wrote, at least three years later.'

Also, if I recall correctly, Montaigne didn't think much of medical doctors.

If a neurologist claimed no organic damage from concussion but depression instead, Maybe he needs to be asked "Can concussion cause depression?" The correct answer is "Yes, it can."

Mark's comment explains why I don't like the following note in the Mayo Clinic's writeup on PCS symptoms:

"Some experts believe post-concussion symptoms are caused by structural damage to the brain or disruption of neurotransmitter systems, resulting from the impact that caused the concussion. Others believe post-concussion symptoms are related to psychological factors, especially since the most common symptoms — headache, dizziness and sleep problems — are similar to those often experienced by people diagnosed with depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. In many cases, both physiological effects of brain trauma and emotional reactions to these effects play a role in the development of symptoms."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pos...SECTION=causes

The second sentence underlined above seems to imply support for the view that PCS is simply a psychological phenomenon. While I believe that there are psychological aspects to PCS that should be attended to, I find this claim to be a bit misleading (at best). At worst, it reinforces the misconception apparently held by many MDs that PCS (especially after some weeks or months have passed) is largely or entirely "just in your head."

I noticed this Mayo Clinic weakness long ago. Even sent a email of protest. No answer. Just shows that the higher doctors get in their profession, the less they are open to learning.