Sorry for posting quiet a lot! But the thing is I an totally anxious. Since 5 months I am stuck in the concussions stadium and it's gettin worse and worse. Just last night I got a panick attack becasue I am so afraid of symptoms being permanent. I could't breath. My family tells me I should just ignore it but that's not possible. It's around all the time. The worst thing is the visual snow and the feelign to be stuck in a dream, I am anxious as hell that this symptom will be persisting. Then I did the worst thing ever and googled my symptoms, about the visual snow and got another panic attack. My neuro has sworn me that it'll go away. I did the MRI(no bleedings) and the EEG will follow soon but he does not know that I overdid it a lot, and even started playing sports again. Of course I am not playing sports anymore and dropped out of every activity I was doing. I wish I could travel back in time and tell the stupid me from back then what to do. Just had to get rid of this becasue I totally don't know what to do. I know how stupid is to be anxious but I can't do anything against it.

Set up appointments to see a psychiatrist (for meds), and a psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders. You should be able to get referrals from your primary care doctor.

The people who have told you that the panic and anxiety will just "go away" do not know what they are talking about. The good news is that panic and anxiety are treatable, if you get help from the right people.

In the meantime, it might be worth checking out this page to help you better understand your anxiety:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topic...rs/index.shtml

If researching anxiety causes you to panic, then it might be better to hold off until you can get an appointment with a specialist.

Hang in there; I know how awful panic is.

Hi Lui!

Sorry you are not feeling well.

Many people here take antipsychotics but I believe that you need to make an educated decision. Make sure that your doctor discusses what he/ she will provide. Make sure you know the side effects and the dosage and if you will have to be weaned off or if you can take them occasionally for a panic attack. You should bring someone with you to the doctor to help you ask your questions.

Did you discuss with the doc your anxiety? is there anything that calms you down besides meds? It is hard how you are not even at home right now. You have to have more support.

And don't google that much. Most stuff on the internet is worse case scenario.
Did your parents learn more about PCS? Did your new host family learn more? Do they go with you to the appointments?

Please take care Lui!

Thanks for all the answers! My new host fam, I changed two months ago, is aware of the concusson and all the problems being caused trough that but I did not tell them about the aniexty problems. They think I can handle it really good. They also went to the neuro with me. I ended up crying there and told him that I am scared. He tried to calm me down and told me that it would go away but that did not help. I just think about hundreds of reason that it could stay forever.
My parents at home think I am too anxiuos and should stop with that. They also think it is just something I am imagining. They are not really helping either. I am afraid but I won't be able to go to a psychologist here. It's too expensive.
My dad wants me to break up my exchange year. I still have 6 months left here but if that would make things permanent i would of course rather go. I think I will meet up with my athletic doctor this week. But i do not tell what to tell him. It's embearissing for me and I feel weak!

I know the feeling of panic attacks.... I got my concussion back in June of 2012 and I was experiencing panic attacks when I'd be driving in traffic, anxious to get home Or just in situations where I would be under pressure or nervous. My whole body would start getting tingley and I would have to step away and try to calm myself down. I did take xanex (low dosage) when needed but I didn't want to depend on these medications. My panic attacks/tinglyness eventually went away and I stopped taking medications. For light excerise and to calm your mind I started doing Tai Chi, Qigong which is similar to Tai Chi but easier to do I feel. I would like up the movements on youtube and they'll go over th 18 movements one by one.

m00sekat33r

Hey,

That is good that you can see those different doctors. At least they are taking this seriously. Have they all spoken to your parents? Ecspecially your Neuro doc? I think that it is very important your parents know whats up. Maybe hearing it from the doctor is better?

Do not worry about seeming weak in front of the athletic doctor. There are ways to say how you feel in a factual manner. Just think of what you will say before you go in. You can even write it down on a list and then read it.

In the past I wouldn't name all my symptoms because I felt I was complaining. Later I would regret it because if you don't tell them they don't know. At least they can write it down even if they don't care. If your anxiety is bad and you keep having panic attacks you should tell your doctors. I think your neuro would be able to do more that your athletic doctor. Is that a school doctor that clears students for sports and stuff? Does he prescribe meds?


Your doctor should be able to discuss your situation about going home or staying here. What does he think?

Maybe if you can have some of these decisions done you will finally be able to focus on real resting. It will all work out. Right now you have doctors that you can see and you are doing the right thing by stopping sports. It is good that your new family is better. Maybe you can share with them your struggles?

My dear Neuro is not responding to my parents e-mails and calls because he is too busy. That's the annoying thing. My dad wants me to get a written confirmation about what I am having but I don't get a hold of him. I trust my athletic doctor, he like really helped me when things started to get worse. He told me to take fish oil and what to do. Altough he is not a real doctor, he is an expert with concussions. I will discuss the situation. I will probably break out in tears but I don't care anymore. I will talk about the aniexty and my struggles about going back home where I could take a 6 month-lasting break. My new family is so nice but I won't get a lot of rest there because we will travel the country a lot! The problem is that I look pretty normal on the outside but anybody who did not experienced tbi/pcs by themselves won't know how it is inside but I think you guys all know that...
I could just cry when I am thinking about returning back home. I don't want to. It's not fair if I had too.

That sucks about the neuro. I wouldn't give up though, you might have to make an appointment just to get him to do it. Are your parents' English good? Maybe you can have a conference type call with them at the appointment. Probably he will never initiate anything unless you are there.

On the other hand, that is great you have your athletic doctor. You should tell him about your worries and decisions. This is a lot to stress about. He sounds like he is the most knowledgeable about your situation. Maybe he would be willing to call your parents. It sounds like he will help you with the whole picture.

Sorry about maybe returning home early. I know it is hard to think about, but maybe after you can talk about it you will see things clearer. It will be OK. It is brave of you to do all of this yourself away from home and family. You will not always feel this bad. Hang in there!

Yes, I will talk to him soon. I don't really have somebody to talk about that. My german mum is getting agressive when I am starting the topic and is even hanging up on me. My dad's english sucks lol but he is the worried one. Thanks or all the advise! I really appreciate it!

Lui, Maybe you can Skype with your parents and your doctor at school?