Hi,

I'm 17 years old. I am sort of a hypochondriac, so I can't stop thinking about this issue:

I come from a Korean-American family where slapping kids on the head as a disciplinary action is very common. I would estimate this started at the age of 4, and since then I have probably been slapped on the head at least 200 times. It is a moderate slap-- Enough to cause the head to throb for about ten seconds but not involving loss of consciousness or long-lasting migraines.

Is it possible that, cumulatively, I am less intelligent than I would have been? In the third grade, I had a neurologist measure my IQ as 142, but I don't feel as if I am at that level anymore. Could all of these slaps over time have lowered my IQ?

Also, in the sixth grade, I suffered a concussion while skiing that had my unconscious for about five minutes. The CAT scan showed no problems and the doctors said I was fine, but I don't believe them. How could anyone be the same after a concussion?

I don't feel any different than before and I recovered completely within a week of my concussion-- But it just seems unbelievable that I would be completely fine.

Candycanes,

I hate to be one to support your hypochondria but your worries are correct. But,,,,, I would not worry to much until you have finished growing up. Your brain will continue to mature until you are about 25 years old.

My greatest concern for you is the head slaps. They are likely sub-concussive impacts. They can have a cumulative effect. It can take years to show symptoms.

You have two options. Worry about it.
Or,,, Do something about it.

I suggest the latter.
Get started on good brain nutrition. There are plenty of posts on this forum about nutrition and vitamins. Do a search and you will find them. Purpose to avoid any further head impacts of any severity. No soccer ball heading. No contact sports. No martial arts sparing with contact.

Your brain is at an age where it can still improve. There are online and for purchase software programs that hep you keep your brain exercised. Posit science and Lumosity are the popular ones.

Your IQ is the last brain characteristic impacted in many cases. It allows many to overcome many of the Post Concussion Syndrome symptoms.

My IQ is at a similar level but my processing speed and memory functions are severely reduced. The symptom that takes the most effort is the tendency for outbursts of anger, etc. There are choices you can make to learn to control this symptom. This skill will be a life changer as you learn it.

Over time, you may have symptoms that become evident. Don;'t worry about them. Instead, learn the work-arounds and other accommodations that allow many to overcome them. A full life is possible.

Let us know about any symptoms you need to work on.

My best to you.

That's what I feared... Most people have told me that the skull fully absorbs minor hits like that but I didn't believe them.

What about the concussion? I believe it was at least a Grade 3... It's making me question whether I ever should have begun skiing to begin with.

So is it really possible that I made a complete recovery from the concussion? Or was my intellectual potential lessened because of it? Is it better that I had it early in my life?

Thanks.

All concussions cause permanent damage. Most of those symptoms will not show up unless the subject is under stress. Most people are dead wrong, including most doctors. The research about subconcussive impacts was done over 20 years ago but the medical community is still not accepting these truths. The permanent damage research was done in the 1970's and repeated in the 1990's. It is still not accepted.

The concept of full recovery is a misnomer. It currently means the subject has recovered to a condition where all ADL's (Activities of Daily Living) can be done. This is a short sighted term. The ADL's made be doable but the stress load can impact ADL's and other situations. Test taking is not an ADL. Test taking can be impacted by concussions, especially if the subject is under stress.

Just because the subject appears recovered and may even think they have recovered 100%, the lasting damage will eventually become symptomatic.

There is nothing that can be done to change this long term situation. But, you can do things to minimize the symptoms that return. Avoiding further impacts of any intensity is the most important. The concussed and sub-concussed brain is far more sensitive to further injury.

Your intellectual potential is not something to worry about. You should be more focused on learning to live a low stress life with good nutrition. Intellectual performance may be hampered in some situations but it is not difficult to avoid those situations.

The cultural imperative to go at max speed to achieve everything possible is false. There are always trade offs, whether one has a concussion history or not. By learning to live a stress free and balanced life, you intellectual potential can still be achieved.

btw, I disregard the Class 1,2,3,4,5 definition of concussions. There is not a direct relationship between initial concussion intensity and long term symptoms. There are too many variables. The attempt to grade concussions is for the benefit of the statisticians, not the patient.

Skiing is not a dangerous sport regarding concussions. Many skiers wear helmets today. I believe the biggest risk is due to irresponsible behaviors. I wear a helmet to protect my head from other skiers and boarders.

If you practice safe skiing, you should be able to minimize the risk. Try not to stop in congested areas. Use good equipment. Be aware of the reckless skiers and boarders. Don't keep skiing when you are tired. Most injuries happen in the latter half of the day. I know because I was a National Ski Patrol. Enjoy skiing. It is a fabulous sport.

CandyCanes, My biggest concern is for you to learn to control you anxiety. Hypochondria is an anxiety disorder. If you continue to worry and it effects your life, you need professional help. Seek it and use it. Living in fear is not living. It is existing. You may have some tendencies for anxiety as a symptom of your concussion. A professional therapist who has experience with PCS will be a great find.

Seek some good help and learn to enjoy life. You will do fine if you get the help you need.

And, when you see your culture 'head slapping,' speak up and try to stop this damaging behavior.

My best to you.

Thanks!

So just to clarify....

I will never be the same as I was before the crash, but ultimately I am no less intelligent than I was before?

Basically, yes. But there is no reason to think you need to be different. If you feel you have symptoms that make you different, post them here. The changes would have happened when you were much younger right after your concussion. Any changes since then should be minimal unless you have been head slapped excessively.

I think you are trying to make too much out of a concussion that happened years ago. I would think that you would be used to any symptoms that manifest from that concussion.

Have you engaged in any activities that may cause an impact to your head? Soccer, hockey, field hockey, Lacross, football, wrestling, basketball, softball, baseball, etc.

So, are you having any specific problems besides your anxiety?

We're here to help.

My best to you.