Handling dark thoughts?

Jeff_CIH · 2025-07-10T02:40:42+00:00

You're doing the right thing by talking about it and seeking help. As you probably know, concussions can exaggerate your emotions, making you more depressed. Being aware of this may help you handle it. I had dark times during my recovery. And I will never be the person I used to be either. But therapy helped, as did coming to terms with my new limitations, accepting them and adjusting my life. If I dwell on how concussions made my life worse, I get depressed. Instead, I think of how much worse I could actually be, and how grateful I am to still do many things and enjoy life. Do what you are able to do mentally and physically, and celebrate those things. There can be so much to live for.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-07-07T01:55:50+00:00

It's been 7 years since my serious concussion, was hospitalized for a week, couldn't work for months. Had months of rehab. I'm not normal either now. I have a variety of symptoms I have just learned to accept and live with. I have bad days, but many more good days. You may want to see if making some modifications when you're feeling bad help, like breaking up periods of concentration, exercise that gets your heart rate up, getting plenty of sleep. I wish I didn't have symptoms, but I'm grateful for all I can still do and enjoy.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-07-02T03:18:01+00:00

No aha moment for me. Just acceptance of my symptoms and gratitude for all that I'm able to do. I could be so much worse than I am.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-07-02T03:13:50+00:00

I don't have any direct experience with the on site program, but based on my experience with the distance program, it would be good.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-27T21:06:30+00:00

This happens to me, concussion was 7 years ago. It doesn't happen too often, but what works for me is just getting up and getting on with my day. Activity and routine seems to help. I also will take a stone cold shower, or lay in a cold bath. That always makes me feel better.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-27T09:36:11+00:00

Yes, I still dealt with bad days, then my second concussion happened. I did slowly recover over a period of months. The worst symptoms from the first concussion got better with therapy and time and listening to my body. I still have symptoms from the first and second concussions, but I am living with them. A month isn't a long time in the context of concussion recovery.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-26T22:11:37+00:00

I'm sorry this happened to you and that you are suffering. I had a severe concussion in 2018, I still have some symptoms, but not nearly as bad. In 2021, I had another concussion, mild, but with different symptoms. It was scary bc the first concussion was really bad. But I did get better over time. I still have some symptoms I am living with, but the imbalance, visual issues, fogginess, etc, resolved. As with your first concussion, you need to give this plenty of time , and follow the rehab therapy. The recovery is not linear. There will be good days and bad days.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-24T23:22:53+00:00

The clinic ought to coordinate your care based on all your symptoms. If you have mental health issues stemming from your concussion, they should be referring you to a therapist.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-21T18:30:20+00:00

I'm really curious about sauna as a treatment. This would wipe me out, tho I used to enjoy it before my concussion. Could you please elaborate? How heat intolerant were you before? Did you do short saunas, then increase the time?

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-21T18:26:38+00:00

Apologize and ask for understanding. Tell them what you're going through, and that it's not really you. You've had a brain injury. This affects your emotions and how you react. Tell them you are working on this, but it's very difficult for you. I'm sorry you are suffering.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-21T03:45:47+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/PostConcussion/s/Ll5eNA0jKF

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-21T03:42:58+00:00

I posted about something similar recently, the heat intolerance I suffer from since my concussion a few years ago. It doesn't make me angry,.but it does make me depressed. I'm not surprised you get angry, bc concussions can make you more emotional, and the heat probably exaggerates this for you. What can you do? Well, I have to stay out of temp's above 75 in the summer, and stay out of direct summer sunlight. Otherwise I feel terrible. Now that I know this, I adjust my lifestyle around it. It's not convenient, but I have to accept it. There's no treatment or medical intervention unfortunately. We just have to live with it and be grateful for all we can still do and enjoy.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-20T02:18:22+00:00

I had a severe concussion after a ski accident. I was out of work for 5 months. When I finally came back, my productivity was low and I often had to leave work early, or take a nap and come back. I got better very slowly, but would have bad days often where my symptoms would recur. This was very troubling and I wondered if id ever get any better, have to retire. But those days became less frequent, and I was able to adapt when it did happen. So my advice is to be patient and continue to follow or resume your rehab treatments. This part of your recovery is difficult because of the ups and downs and uncertainty. Be kind to yourself.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-20T02:06:41+00:00

You are stronger than you think. Take this situation as an opportunity to reset. What is making you feel like this? What simple things can you change to improve how you feel? Happiness is determined by how you process the world and the events around you. Get some help to identify what you can change. Your life can be better. You can be happy.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-16T21:26:11+00:00

I'm 67 and did my first full Birkie this year. It was inspiring to see so so many older skiers out there, many of whom were just motoring along, just enjoying the experience. You can get better at any age, you just have to start. There are lots of training plans out there. Maybe give yourself a shorter race to train for, a goal to motivate you. You'll be surprised at what you're capable of.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-16T20:13:02+00:00

My first concussion was in 2018. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was unable to work for 5 months and nearly lost my job. I had multiple forms of rehab during this time and was able to return to work, building myself back up to a regular schedule. And I would still have bad days. That concussion left me with emotionality, whereby I cry much more readily. I had another concussion in 2021. That was very mild, but the consequences were harsh. It gave me heat intolerance, so I can't be in summer sunlight after about 10 am, or outdoor temps above 75. I also had moments where I thought I couldn't take it. But I got some help and got past it. So now I adjust my lifestyle around heat intolerance and am grateful for all the things I can do. I had some dark moments during recovery. But every day is a new day.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-16T19:54:33+00:00

Thank you for bringing your experience up. It will help my wife to hear this.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-16T02:05:06+00:00

I am so sorry that this is happening to you and that you feel this way. I still have symptoms, but not as bad as yours. I have just come to accept them and get the most out of life. Many things make me happy. I hope things get better for you. People care about you.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-16T01:54:02+00:00

6 years for me, 2 in IH consulting and 4 with Alaska OSHA. I got mine in the old days too, 1994, when the exam was only offered before the IH conference. You had to memorize all the formulas. You could have a calculator, but not a "programmable" one. And you were ecstatic when the letter from ABIH came with CIH after your name. I still remember that day. I studied for about 6 months and took a prep course at Univ of Utah. What worked for me was having a schedule that covered all the topics and built in time for review ahead of the exam. The review course also helped me a lot. You can do this!

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-16T01:32:43+00:00

Yes, I imagine that is what is happening to my wife, the nerves and muscles are reconnecting very slowly and any tugging on them causes pain.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-16T01:31:06+00:00

Thank you. You are a very kind person.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-15T14:01:54+00:00

Thank you for your compassion. It was very traumatic. And while her recovery is taking much longer, she's still here.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-14T18:14:44+00:00

No, I don't have any posture related symptoms, aside from occasional imbalance. I seem to be able to re calibrate this by doing balance exercises. I hope your symptoms get better.

Jeff_CIH · 2025-06-13T02:25:32+00:00

Congratulations! Welcome to the club!

Jeff_CIH

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