How Does Your Therapist React to Your PCS?
 

From a mental health perspective, how does your therapist react to what you "bring to the table" or present to him/her regarding your struggles with Post Concussive Syndrome?

In my own case it has been very frustrating working with my therapist (a psychologist). Generally he is treats it like a psycho-somatic illness.

It is becoming clear to me now that ever since I hit my head on the ice 1yr and 7 months ago he thinks I have been making up the headaches, fatigue, and everything else I've been through all this time. The reason, I believe, is because he thinks I am anxious about making necessary changes in my life.

Seriously. There have been nightmarish scenarios from a PCS sufferer's perspective in his office in terms of what he has said to me over the past year and a half.

That is nothing close to my experience with my therapists...

Maybe time to find one more helpful?

....When I was in recovery I did have one guy that was a bit off the wall....He had his own ideas, and didnt listen much to me....
After a BIG blow up (me) I stopped seeing him...he took away the people that were helping me...
Saddest part is my occupational therapist stuck up for me(she understood) and lost her job.....Her name was Beverly, and ten years later I still feel very bad about her losing her job!

Therapist
 

Hi. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad your experiences got better. I bet Beverly is better off where she is now.

I have walked out of a session with my current therapist. I was furious. This was before hitting my head, however.

Today I went to Psychology Today's website and used their Therapist Finder search function. I reached out to one using the online form and asked for an appointment. Hopefully she'll get the email and respond.

Many psychologist are of the belief that everything that is in the mind can be fixed by psychology. One needs to avoid these therapists like the plague. In my observation, people with pre-existing psychological struggles often struggle more with PCS. That makes it doubly important to find someone who understands concussions.

Is there a concussion medical clinic near you that can refer you to a therapist ?

Therapist
 

Thanks Mark. My only option it seems would be to travel about an hour into the city. However, I'd prefer not to have to do that (parking, traffic, travel time, etc).

But now that you mention it with a little work maybe I can find someone closer to home that is knowledgeable in this area. It's too bad that on the Psychology Today's site therapists don't list "PCS Struggles" as one of their areas of expertise.

I think I'll put a call in to my neurologist and also primary care doctor to get things rolling in this direction. I think your advice is good.

The Brain Injury Association and its state chapters comes to mind. Maybe I can send them an email or call.

p.s. I see a concussion specialist about 50 minutes away but out of the city. I think I'll start there first, come to think of it. Thanks!