Anxious About Potential New Conccussion
 

Hi. I had a concussion six months ago, but my symptoms, mostly headaches, have subsided. However, today I was driving and was forced to slam on the breaks which caused my head to jerk forward somewhat. It was from about 35 mph to stopped in what felt like less than a second (but I'm not sure). Being extremely concerned about another TBI, I immediately began panicking. My head jerking forward is what was so scary, as I can picture my brain hitting the front of my skull. I have had a headache behind my eyes ever since, and I have felt somewhat groggy. I am not sure how much anxiety is playing into this, but I cannot shake the thought that I caused more irreparable damage. Thanks for any insight on how I should be handling this.

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

At the very most, unless you hit your head on a solid object, you stopped at about 1 G horizontal force. It takes 60 to 80Gs to cause a concussion.
Using stopping distance and time calculating with good tires on dry pavement, it takes 5 seconds and 140 feet to stop from 35 mph and only generates 0.4 Gs.

If you have headaches from your last concussion, you likely suffered a upper neck injury. Those often cause headaches.

The whiplash of a sudden stop can strain a previously injured neck.

You could have triggered a sinus headache of fluid in your sinuses.

Your anxiety can also cause every symptom you are experiencing. The startle on needing to make a quick stop triggers anxiety.

You say "but I cannot shake the thought that I caused more irreparable damage."

What would change IF somebody told you that you did cause irreparable damage? How would worrying about it change your life for the better? What would you do differently moving forward?

I have seen this response after a concussion many, many times. The anxiety that can take over can change your life. I encourage you to get out of this thought pattern. It can take over your life. As another NT poster says, If you would not have been concerned about this event before your concussion, don't be concerned about this same event just because you have experienced a concussion.

btw, I've had over 14 concussions. There is plenty of life after concussions, IF YOU CHOOSE to move on.