Hi all

This is my first post - thanks for letting me join this forum.

Five years ago I had a pretty bad concussion and whiplash. Ever since I have had PCS which have been a rollercoaster, although I am now 90 % my former self! But bumps is still a big problem.

I really think that many of us who experience symptoms from small/almost non-existing bumps have “learned” some sort of response that are connected to anxiety/PTSD. The symptoms are real but mostly not because of damage. While I have this belief, that dosnt mean I have success in treating it. Most of the time I have a small bump, I still get very worried.

Two hours ago I was sleeping on the couch when my 6 year old daughter wanted to show me something. But she was sitting down beside the couch too fast and lost a little balance, so she hit my head above the eyes with her shoulder. I felt the hit but it wasn’t that hard, actually it didn’t hurt much.

But the weird thing is that I quickly began to develop symptoms like tension in my forehead, a little off feeling, neck-tension and tiredness. I still have this two hours later. This is all new for me, because normally I develop symptoms some days after a minor hit – buy maybe this wasn’t a minor hit?

In the beginning I didn’t think much about this because of her age and because she is very slim and because it didn’t really hurt much. But she still weights around 50 pounds (she is tall) and maybe the energy transition from the hard part of her shoulder is enough to cause a concussion? I am confused about all this, and I have to go for a short flight tomorrow. But if it’s a concussion I will stay at home.

What is your thoughts – is it realistic that a 6 year old can cause a concussion from the described impact? Or a neck injury (although I have a hard time seeing how this should be the case)?

Traveler85,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

You have the tight idea about symptoms without a physical cause. The brain can memorize symptoms and play them back when triggered. Think of PTSD flashbacks.

No, your daughter does not have the impact force to cause a concussion. It takes 60 to 80 G. Think of dropping a 16 pound bowling ball on your head from 12 inches.

If it was a concussion, you would immediately sense that momentary WHOA feeling. Then, maybe more symptoms later... headaches, etc. The surface/skin/scalp pain is not the WHOA sensation I mention.

The hard touch sensation to the skin could be enough to trigger the flashback.

What do you mean by a 'short flight'?

It appears you may be checking for symptoms. If you do check for symptoms as a part of your anxiety response, you will notice symptoms, even if they are not really manifesting. I get headaches responding to these question. The headache goes away as soon as I move to another thought. I get gut tensing and tingling when I see a head impact on TV. Those are responses that have nothing to do with physical trauma.

You can teach your brain to respond to these events in a positive or negative way. Don't feed those negative responses and you will do better.

Don't plan on having symptoms. No need to cancel your trip.

Other than canceling your flight, what other change would you make IF this was a concussion?

I know exactly how you feel. I've had 3 or 4 concussions in the past 2 years. I suffered 2 close together and had issues after that.

Was great and about 16 months from there got 2 more knocks that were diagnosed concussions and set me back. I'm now 5 months past this and doing better but still bumps hurt me too.

The thing for me is this. If I get a bump or a jolt like walking into a door frame, bumping my head, something light hitting it etc etc, I firstly relax and pretend I didn't notice it. I'm not always perfect, but if you start stressing and giving the knock the "time of day" so to speak, then you are hyper focussed on it and symptoms appear.

SO firstly, I pretend I didn't notice and then I distract myself with some enjoyable task/hobby.

THEN, if I wake up the next day fine, I KNOW it wasn't a concussion.

My usualy test is:

Day 0 - Bump my head - ok relax and see how I go
Day 1 - Do I feel fine this morning? If yes, then GREAT, if not move to Day 2.
Day 2 - DO I feel fine? If yes, great, if not move to Day 3.
Day 3 - Do I feel fine? If yes, YAY. If not, potential concussion and see a doctor.

For me, I know that between 1-2 days from small bumps are USUALLY just flare ups from anxiety/stress/hypersensitive/NECK ISSUES etc.

DeanBJJ,

Your protocol is a big problem.

"SO firstly, I pretend I didn't notice and then I distract myself with some enjoyable task/hobby.

THEN, if I wake up the next day fine, I KNOW it wasn't a concussion.

My usual test is:

Day 0 - Bump my head - ok relax and see how I go
Day 1 - Do I feel fine this morning? If yes, then GREAT, if not move to Day 2.
Day 2 - DO I feel fine? If yes, great, if not move to Day 3.
Day 3 - Do I feel fine? If yes, YAY. If not, potential concussion and see a doctor.
"

DO NOT LOOK FOR SYMPTOMS. Your anxious mind will always find them.

STOP tracking head contacts.

Why would you go to a doctor at Day 3? What can a doctor do for you but confirm your SUBJECTIVE complaints. Only serious concussions can be objectively diagnosed.

There is no difference between the symptoms of a mild or even moderate concussion and anxiety symptoms.

If you did not get good sleep, you can think you had a concussion........when you just did not sleep good.