[ConcussedGuy17]

I have been a lurker for quite some time; I have now decided to actually make a post.

I am currently attending university, as an Engineering student. A couple years ago I was doing sprints around a field, and I ran straight into a post. I did not have LOC or vision problems immediately after, but began developing symptoms a few days later. I have had chronic headaches and tinnitus ever since.

I took time off of school to recover, and I only participate in very mild exercise, I am on a vitamin regimen, etc. My symptoms are not very severe, but they are extremely persistent. I also have mild anxiety related to my head injury.

There was an event the other day that has made me extremely anxious. I have not attended classes since, even though I suspect my increase in symptoms is purely due to anxiety.

So I was standing around a couch with a couple friends, and one of my friends whom was sitting down gave me a hard push and I stumbled back a few feet. I am very worried that this has given me another concussion, and am quite frankly freaking out.

I have done extensive research regarding the amount of force needed to cause a concussion, but I am unsure of how much less force it would require for me to sustain damage due to my history of concussions.

What do you guys think?

[ConcussedGuy17]

I forgot to mention that this is my only diagnosed concussion. I played soccer competitively for around 10 years, so I would not be surprised if I sustained multiple unreported ones.

[TheNorwegian]

Where did he push you? Did you hit anything with your head?

I am pretty sure that if he didnt push your head, then it is not possible to get a concussion. It takes a lot of force. But if he pushed hard, and you were unprepared, then perhaps a neck injury can be aggravated.

I have tried it a couple of times e.g. if my son runs into me when I pick him up from kindergarten, then I move my head very fast forward because he runs into my stomach. It can give me increased headache, concentration problems etc. for some days to a week, and then it "normalize".

I think anxiety is a very big player in this. I work with a therapist who specialises in CBT. I am no expert but it sounds to me that you could benefit from working with a therapist and perhaps see a PT for neck related headache?

I hope the best for you. And it WILL get better.

[Mark in Idaho]

ConcussedGuy,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

The force you endured is not enough to cause a concussion. It's not even enough to be considered a sub-concussive impact.

Like Norwegian said, it sounds like your issue is anxiety with maybe an unresolved upper neck injury contributing to your headaches. If you have tenderness at the bony parts behind your ears, that indicates muscle spasms that are often caused by an upper neck injury.

So, please seek some help with your anxiety. You deserve to get your life back and you should be able to if you can resolve your anxiety.

My best to you.

Mark