Since my concussions last year and following PCS I try to avoid situations where I can bump my head.

A few month ago I met an old friend, that I had not seen in years. She saw me and came running and hugged me real hard. Her head bumped into mine.
My symptoms started up right away and lasted over a week.

Since that day I am afraid of hugs, no matter how tender they are.
This year I did not even invite anybody for my birthday, because I was scared of the hugs and kisses.

Some of my friends already know of my problem, but not everybody.
Yesterday a colleague from work (who works in a different town) came by my work and hugged me. It was so quick that I had no chance to say no.

His arm came pretty hard on my head above my neck.
So today I have symptoms again.

I don't know what to to about my hugging problem. Is there anybody out there having the same problem?

Thanks, Anja

Try beating them to it with a high five?

That sounds awful. I'm sorry your dealing with such head sensitivity. I tell my girlfriend to be careful when she hugs me. Luckily us men tend to go for the handshake instead of any bodily contact.

I am not suggesting this is the case, but maybe this is an anxiety issue? I know I've dealt with a lot of anxiety from minor bumps. I'm sure there are two sides to it with one being the bump and the other the resulting anxiety with both causing symptoms. If you can eliminate the anxiety about the hugs I'm sure you will be better prepared if a stray hug does come your way. This has at least been my latest approach as I think a lot of my issues stem from anxiety of further injury. It's a perfectly natural response but it has to be dealt with before it worsens and becomes a psychiatric problem like mine.

All the best,
Danny

Anja,

I tend to agree with Danny based on my experience. I am finding out that when I feel
My head now (it gets stiff and sore) I get really wound up when in fact nothing is getting worse because I feel my injury site.

I have been working really hard at telling myself and believing it that when it gets sore it is ok, it isn't going to send me into days of symptoms as in the past. It is silly sore like and exercised muscle.

This incident has been a real hand full to recover from...plays a lot of mind games on me that are difficult to overcome even when I know they are lies.

I don't know if this is your case but I firmly believe that anxiety is my major symptom now as opposed to physical pcs symptoms.

Bud

Anja,

I totally see where you're coming from. I get worried when people get too close to me nowadays. I've become a jumpy person who is afraid of any sort of hand jokes. Yesterday a girl put her head on my shoulder and I pretty much freaked out deep inside. I do remember I had anxiety about hurting my head after my 1st concussion too, and have had impacts to my head that freaked me out and felt like it made my symptoms worse. But I can tell you that I recovered 100% from my previous concussion. It took 7-8 months, but it was a FULL recovery. Wish you the best.

I have anxiety about this too. Just last Saturday, in fact, my friend tapped my head when hugging me. What is it about women and hugging?

I agree with what DannyT said. My fears of minor head bumps have metastasized into a serious, debilitating psychiatric condition. It's to the point where I'm not quite sure how much of my symptoms are PCS, and how much are just anxiety. You don't want to let this get out of hand. Realistically, when a person hugs you, they are not going to be moving their arms at forces greater than 10 g's. Thus, it is inordinately unlikely any impact will cause a new TBI. Anxiety can cause a relapse of symptoms.