mark. you are right. after my abi my doctor told me we can take an mri but it doesn't matter what shows, the treatment will be the same. but perhaps I could have gotten my disability for that instead of depression. you are right about disability insurance. without any evidence the judge didn/t even want to hear about my abi. but that is what caused the depression lol

Sir Mark, I love to make a stand with you on "headbagging" Please get in touch with me and let me know you still interested...I'm in! I work a lot but in my spare time I'm there!

So Ben has really improved at the state hospital! He's able to respond to questions and remembers the past, something he couldn't do before. I'm able to take him out for fun, amusement parks, mini golf, batting cage ect. Ben will never be the same but...I've got part of him back. He will go to a group home for now till he know's how to care for himself. Concussion...the whole thing is still so confusing and upsetting. Maybe it was the concussion or maybe he had mental illness. Never know...

I am so GLAD to see you and your son have been able to do things that are fun together. you may never know which one it was, what's important is that he is making progress. So nice to hear some GOOD NEWS on the board. keep us posted.

Glad to hear there is some progress?

I feel for you - you're stuck with two ridiculous situations - The mental health community is horrible - and the brain injury community is also horrible. Dealing with both of them has to be awful for you.

Best wishes to you and your son.

Couldn't read all the post as it's too much for me but just want to say I hope things continue to improve for your son. xo

So Now that it's 2016, Ben is doing well in a group home. He's got the right meds and I could kiss the ground how well he's doing. Still though not the same person he was years ago...very quite and still spaced out. But...better then how he was. I think swinging his head had a big part of why he was in this situation, but I've move on and have to accept this is the new normal and help him as much as I can till he understands. I think of all the kids, teen. and adults who play sports...Geeze, makes me concerned ! Hope someday they learn about the brain and can help people with brain problems!

Hi,

I'm glad Ben is doing better! On top of having PCS, last spring I went into psychosis. I'm 19 now. I was very delusional and had hallucinations. It took a while to get the right meds and I'm still working on the dose. I take Ablilify (aripriprazole).

I'm sensitive to meds and we think that amitriptyline initiated the psychosis, as the psychosis gradually came about and then really hit hard. I most likely have schizo-affective disorder the doctors were quick to say. I was medicated the same night when my parents took me to the hospital. I read a study that showed that Abilify can increase psychosis and aggressiveness, so how many symptoms I'm having are from the med or not, I do not know. Until recently, my symptoms have been well controlled with Abilify. I'm having some aggressive thoughts and am trying to find the correct dose. Risperadal was awful on me. I was like a zombie, and I understand why many don't take their meds.

PCS is very hard on its own. From my reading, schizophrenia is very hard on its own, to say the least. Both are hard on the individual and his/her family. Together, I can only imagine. I highly recommend reading the section on schizophrenia section in the book Far From the Tree. It gave me lots of insight at what I'm up against and the importance of taking medicine, keeping a good diet, and taking supplements.

I also think that brain injury has a connection with me getting schizophrenia. I played football for 7.5 years. One study shows that brain injury increases the chances of getting schizophrenia by 65%. Also, having brain injury during adolescence when the brain is growing and the body is going through changes, also can have effects. That being said, we can't change the past, we can only learn from it.

I just skimmed through this whole thread. Thank you for being such a supportive parent. We really appreciate it, even if we don't say it. Keep us updated!

Jake

Geez Jake I know it's been a long time. I hope your getting better on the meds and I sure would like to talk to you...seeing how your young and really in tune with what's happing to you. My son has gotten better, but still really spaced out or should I say can't pay attention. Maybe we can talk? My son turned 21 last fall, and won't sign the paper to let me know what's going on. So frustrated. I could use some advice from a peer.

Yeah, shoot me a message. I'd love to talk!

I have finally found a good dose on the med--at least for now. Besides apathy, most of my schizophrenia symptoms are mild, thankfully.

I do imagine that the physical effects of schizophrenia are taking its toll on my brain as I don't really improve unless I'm able to do a certain therapy. It's frustrating, but what can you do?