Thoughts on head desensitization?
 

Hi all,

It's been about 3 years since my last concussion, and overall I'm at a good place in my recovery. I am able to sleep well, attend school, do physical activity like running and dancing, etc. However, I'm still very sensitive to minor bumps, and this is something I would like to work on, because I think it is mainly a psychological rather than physical issue at this point (Concussion Anxiety Syndrome). Because even after 3 years of recovery, light contact such as hugs or placing my head on a pillow too hard can give me symptoms, even if I know logically that these bumps did not cause damage.

I was wondering if anyone has tried certain methods for desensitizing? One that has worked for me that I have done so far is wearing hats. In the year or so after my last concussion, simply wearing a hat would make me feel like I was damaging my brain and give me symptoms. But I decided that I would try to wear hats frequently, because I knew they weren't actually hurting me. And eventually, the symptoms lessened, and now wearing a hat doesn't give me symptoms at all.

I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for similar things? One thing I've thought about is maybe getting a beach ball and practicing dropping it on my head, because obviously beach balls are soft and only a few ounces so they would not cause damage, but they are big and very loud, so I think it might be a good way to simulate bigger bumps in a controlled environment. Maybe after I get used to the beach ball, I could progress up to a small pillow, etc.

Do you think this is a good idea, and do you have other suggestions? Anything that you have tried that has worked for you?

Thanks so much!

This is called exposure desensitization training. Yes, do it. It sounds like your mind has a long road ahead. Get started with the beach ball and pillows.

Have people close to you touch your head when you don't expect it.