Loss of consciousness (LoC)
 

Yesterday I was told by a doctor, apparently one of the best neuro-psychologists in the country, that persistent/permanent debilitating PCS only happen when there is LOC following the impact.

No Coma no permanent physical changes. What a rule. I like how some people talk as if we have figured PCS and its underlying mechanism.

But this is making me very nervous that some people won't believe me. Any literature you know off hand that presents a contradictory view to his?

It is important to say at least that the judge is still out on this, and it is not a settled issue.
PS: I might very well have had LOC for an extended period of time.

There are plenty of examples on NT of people suffering from the permanent effects of concussion(s) that did not involve any loss of consciousness. The statement made by your doctor is just wrong.

I hate how there are medical professionals who make up their minds about things like this (e.g. "symptoms post 3 months are very likely to be psychological rather than due to physiological", "you couldn't have caused any permanent damage without loss of consciousness", etc). without having any first hand experience of what a brain injury is actually like.

For example, one of my doctors initially thought that my vision issues might be somehow related to anxiety. Though I was able to persuade him otherwise because a specialized optometrist had actually diagnosed me as having real issues.