This title really caught my attention. I hope we all do, Lord willing.

shov11,

I would be very careful about self-medicating with herbal remedies. Please, only do this with the support and advice of a doctor, whether it is an M.D. or a N.D. The doing is unknown with both. St John's Wort has been grossly over hyped.

Just because something is natural does not make it safe. Hemlock is natural.

If you want to take the natural route, start with good nutrition. With the avoidance of bad foods, etc. and the increase of good foods and supplements, the brain is better able to purge of the toxins left from the injury. Then, it is better able to heal to the extent possible.

btw, Age has no bearing on how or to what level one will recover. As one who has dealt with concussion since the age of ten, every subsequent concussion has had similar symptoms but a different recovery. Each has also ended up with a lesser level of recovery.

As I have learned to modify my daily behaviors and environment, the anxiety, depression, memory dysfunctions and cognitive struggles have been easier to tolerate. I was shocked to hear my mother's observations in 1977 during a visit to Connecticut from California. It caused me to give my behaviors and environment a serious consideration. As I redirected my career path, my ability to be freer from the anxiety and depression improved.

I was at a brain injury support group meeting last Thursday. The old timers were unanimous about the need to make better choices in behaviors, thoughts, and environment. Responding to struggles with thoughts that do not aggravate the struggle was the key idea discussed. Simply put, accept the struggle, get past it without getting upset, and try to avoid the triggers of that struggle or be prepared to accept that same struggle the next time.

For example, if memory is a problem, accept the fact that memory is a problem and as one TBI participant said, "change the page" and go on. For me, it was trying to assemble an automotive part three times before I got it done without forgetting a step. Instead of getting upset, I would sigh and say to my self, "Let's try this again."

This is my Normal. Having to do things over again has not made a big difference in my life. Being content about my need to redo a task has made a big difference in my life and the life of those around me.

Your are all living in the new Normal until a better normal slowly shows it head.

My best to you all.

Mark in Idaho

Wow thank you. I knew to stay of antidepressant drugs because your bodies will then rely on the drug to produce seratonin (idk if thats how its spelled), buy what you said about the herbs made since.

If you want your body to have a good supply of serotonin, take L-tryptophan. It is a precursor to serotonin. The body knows how to regulate it as it metabolizes it.

My best to you.

Thanks again for all your help.
This is personally and a little silly but yout thoughts will be appreciated. I will try and summarize
Months ago my girlfriend told me that my drunk best friend did some really inapropriote things and she wasn't gonna tell me but she did't wanna hide anything from me.

I asked my friend about it and he said my gf was the one being inappropriote. My girlfriend has always been loyal and honest and my friend a liar. So beccause of this and a lot of evidence my friend was lying is stayed together with my girlfriend, but we still had problems.

I get loooping thoughts from the time i wake up to the time i go to bed. I will convince myself that she told the truth, but then i start thinking about is it wrong that she liked the attention from him? even tho she continuously denied him.

I have broken up with her over this because i can not take the damage it has done to me mentally. Also i haven't been treating her right since this happened. She wanted to marry me but our relationship and my life can't continue like this. I don't about marriage but i want the relationship to run it's course.

I truely believe that PCS has a lot to do with this because the old me would not let this happen. I use to be very stable mentally. So i was wondering if you believe this is happening because of PCS? Also if you have any tips? Thank you for your time.

shov,

I struggle with the 'looping' thoughts. Many don't understand me when I say looping thoughts. My are about mundane things like the lyrics of a song or even the spelling of a word.

PCS often causes changes in personality. Your GF may be missing some part of your personality.

Personally, I struggle with how many people define themselves by their significant other when they have not made a marriage commitment. To me, it is like trying to nail jello to the wall.

There are many who have connected strongly to others due to their complimentary ability to support each others weaknesses/health needs.

Sometimes, the PCS person needs to come to a personal conviction to treat their significant other based on knowledge and history rather than emotional feelings. We tend to develop flat personality traits that we need to overcome with disciplined behavior. Relationships are not just based on feelings. Enduring relationships require discipline to weather the dry or flat periods.

You might benefit from journaling your relationship with her. Note your strongest feelings and reasons for them. When you feel flat, remember those times and the reasons behind them. If the reasons still hold true, grab hold of the feelings again.

Dealing with the personality changes and how they effect relationships is a struggle. It is worth the effort to maintain the relationships.

My best to you.

My big advise for anyone just starting PCS is to find something to set your goals on, sleep tons, but also stay busy, don't let yourself become self-absorbed. That is the worst thing you can do.

Don't hit your head again and keep yourself focused on doing things despite the pain or whatever else you are feeling and hopefully in 2 months you will hardly notice it. Even if it is still there you will have learned not only how to live with it, but you will be a stronger person. Anxiety attacks can often be avoided by focusing on something outside of yourself...find something that you want to do in your spare time that will challenge you...not physically, but push you further than you thought you might go even before the concussion...This is like the best cure ever...

Good Luck!
Margarite

Thank you for the advice.

When i first posted about my situation, i was more detailed but it took me to long to write it and by the time i was done i wasn't log in anymore so i could't post it. I was frustrated so my last post wasn't as descriptive.

The thoughts control my brain and basically my life life. Its as if i have my rational thought is still there but theres the looping thoughts part of my brain that can't be turned off.

My mother knows about my situation but i don't share to much details because i don't want her to worry, but we went to a counselor yesterday and she reccomended putting me on anti anxiety medication if i am comfortable with that.

What could the side effects or long term damage be? I haven't done much research but i heard anti depresents enable your from producing seratonine naturally. is this true? If so are anti axiety medications the same way. I'm at the point to where being dependent on the medication my whole life may be a better alternative than what i'm going through right now.

shov,

First, before starting any psychotropic meds, be aware that they have much more impact and more dangerous side effects with younger people.

L-Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin. Some have had success taking L-Tryptophan.

My doctor put me on paroxetine (Paxil) at maximum dose by dosing up within a few weeks. It does wonders for me. I have tried a lower dose but the looping comes back. My doc wanted to put me on L-Tryptophan but is was not available at the time. Some will suggest 5-HTP but L-Tryptophan is a safer way to increase serotonin. 5-HTP can cause serotonin syndrome with some users.

btw, How old are you? There are age related development issues that also come into play with these symptoms.

Thank you for all your knowledge.

I am 18, and will probably try the alternative you suggested rather than anti axiety medication.

My mother took me to a neurologist and she wants me to participate in EEG treatment. My mother and i both think this may not be necassary, because we are not aware what she is trying to see and what the procedures will be if she noticed anything abnormal? I explained to her everything, i guess i don't understand the purpose of EEG treatment.

What are your thoughts on EEG treatment?