I recently had an appointment with my neurologist, and he really seems to think I should be going to college for at least one class. I graduated from high school this past year, and I still felt bad so I decided to skip the first semester. He thinks that I could/should take one class. I cannot physically go to college because "A" I don't have my license, and "B" with my symptoms it is not feasible to drive to school. It appears he thinks that I should be doing more than I am doing at the current moment. Have any of you been pressured to push your boundaries? Did your doctor ever decide that you were better? Did they ever determine you were "fine" to do something, and you should just "get over it?"
-Josh

Only you live in your body, docs only can go by the brief time and what they see /notice during appts.

Perhaps some free online classes as a test to see if it might be doable??
Community colleges usually have online or other classes for distance learning..

Josh,

First, I'd be looking for a new neurologist.
Second, I agree with Jo*mar, You should try some online classes.

Do you mean to say that you would not be a safe driver, even if you had you driver's license ?

Do you struggle to ride in a car ?

My daughter has some health issues (not related to TBI/PCS) and her University degree has a certain number of electives that can be done online.

They've changed the process a little now so that all assesments for her online electives can be returned electronically but the semester that she did all her subjects online she needed to just present the hard copy to the department in person and submit her other copies electronically.

Lots of young people take a gap year after high school here where I live. I'm not fond of pressure. There's enough of that for young people these days just getting through the school years, let alone while you're recovering from your injury.

Maybe he was just making an off the cuff remark that he thought you might get into a rut at home while recovering and not want to go back to your studies in the future.

Either way it's more important you recover. That doesn't mean you will do nothing. It just means that it might take a little longer. It's really up to you, not him. As Jo*Mar said, it's you that's living in your body.

Jomar said it succinctly.

This is your life. You know what is important to you (ie recovery), you know what kind of life you want to lead (ie you want to get better rather than merely managing your symptoms on a daily basis), you know what symptoms you have. You are the one who has to live with the consequences of this decision. This has to be your choice. Do not live according to expectations and standards of someone else, especially those who hardly know you regardless of their titles and resumes.

Well said will, perfectly said actually.

yes. my husband went thru what you're going thru. he found success in taking an hvac course, since he loves mechanics. his memory has improved as well as his physical condition. NOT pushing yourself leads to a deepening of your symptoms...my observation of my hub's general demeanor before he went ahead with hvac school. he also drives but only during the day because his seizures usually occur at night. if he could not drive, he would bike or bus. feeling productive is an important part of recovery. however, college may not be the right option. i would suggest following my hub's route and find a course for a trade you can pursue...something that will take fewer than 2 years because the long-term aspects of getting a degree are not always feasible for someone who is dealing with a tbi. just my observations and info of and from my husband. he turns 40 next month and has been coping for 15 years with this.

Thank you everyone for the support.
Mark I am saying that I would not be a safe driver, and it would exacerbate my symptoms.
willgarner, what you said is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you.
I have a slight dilemma. Mark I know that you said that I should switch for a new neurologist. However I don't know if that will make a difference at this point. So here is a question for everybody: Did you ever switch doctors, and if so does it make a difference? Is it worth switching at this point in my recovery? I have had PCS for about a year and a half, and I am just not sure if switching doctors is worth the effort. What do you guys think?
-Josh

Neurologists are rarely any good at helping with PCS. If you don't feel capable of driving, you should try to get a Neuro Psychological Assessment to see what deficiencies you actually have. It does sound like you need help with anxiety issues.

You do need to find a way to start to move forward. It sounds like you are stuck in neutral. There are things you can do that will slowly help you return to some parts of a normal life. Getting assessed will give you some evidence to work with.