Post-concussive fears
 

Hello everyone, just joined today to ask about something that has had me stressing out lately. I've had two concussions in the past few years, and things were pretty bad at first but have improved a bit. I have learned to try to be as cautious as I can. But a week ago someone chucked a ping pong ball right at my head. Now my head has been itchy and my headaches feel worse.
Is it possible for such an impact to cause another concussion or brain damage? I know it's a ping pong ball, but the pain has left me with anxiety. Any insight would be very much appreciated, Thank you.

Sometimes you need to use logic and self talk to move past things like that..

I don't think a ping ping ball can do anything other than sting a bit when you are hit with one, even if thrown super hard.. there is no weight or power behind it..

You may have tensed or twitched your neck muscles if you saw it coming, or after it hit you..

zant,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

A ping pong ball, if moving very fast, could traumatize a thin layer of skin but could never cause any level of concussive or even sub-concussive impact force.

A ping pong ball weighs 2.7 grams. A head weighs 5000 grams. That is 1850 times heavier. The force from a thrown ball would not be enough to do any harm. That ping pong ball will deform when it hits. This serves to reduce the already small force of the ball's impact.

You were likely startled and annoyed. This can trigger a replay of concussion symptoms that your brain has memorized from a previous real physical trauma.

You sound like you may have developed or taught yourself to be overly vigilant at avoiding any impact. This sets you up for this excessive response. It can also increase your risk level by disrupting your normal responses. Think of this as a distraction to normal protective behaviors. The additional stress can actually cause a loss of motor control/response.

You will be fine.

My best to you.

Take it this way, anything thats so light it bounces off your head instead of pushing your head will likely not affect the brain becuase the impact is mainly on the skull.

Thank you everyone, I feel a bit better knowing that. I've just been very cautious of myself since I already had two concussions in the past and was worried about further damage.