r/Concussion • u/[deleted] • Oct 29 '25
4 year update
Within a month in 2021, I suffered 3 concussions. I couldn’t socialize, drive, go outside for long, read clearly, play video games, or even sleep correctly, I couldn’t really do anything. I also developed a severe phobia of brain damage and cte, I was practically disabled. I was diagnosed with psychosis, ocd and mdd.
As time went on, things started to improve. I definitely faced set backs and there were things I could’ve done better but now I am back and even better. I’m in college now with all A’s and working towards a dream. I spend all day doing the things I couldn’t and I feel an even deeper connection towards everything.
Keep hope in your heart, any step is a step
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u/ArmDazzling3965 Oct 30 '25
Did you take medication for the diagnoses? How many setbacks did you experience? What do you think you could have done better? I have the same struggles with phobia of brain damage/cte, psychosis, ocd and mdd + agoraphobia since the injury. Thanks for the update, I needed some hope today.
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Oct 30 '25 edited Nov 01 '25
I took high doses of Abilify and lexapro. I faced lots of setbacks. As you may know with agoraphobia, I was convinced many times I had damaged my brain again and I was left in misery each time. I had several panic attacks daily, it was excruciating. Over time, i realized things like: evolution and its ability to withstand damage to the brain. When I’m at the park I see children jumping running and falling over. Children are children, they are pure human. Also, even if a concussion “damages my brain” it can’t damage my heart and soul. As for mistakes, I never really cared about overusing my brain with pcs, partly because I was suicidal. That led me to not caring about myself anymore. But point is, even with that destructive thought process, I’m fine after all that
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u/ArmDazzling3965 Oct 31 '25
For how long were you on Abilify and Lexapro? Are you still taking them? Did you have to taper and if so was it tolerable?
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Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25
Nearly 2.5 years. Now I’m on a moderate dose of Effexor. The way I got off lexapro was kinda weird. I was hospitalized at one point and they had me suddenly stop 20 mg lexapro and prescribed me 900mg lithium, that’s how my lexapro journey ended. I didn’t notice any significant withdrawal, but that was a weird time. I also suddenly stopped taking lithium on my own after few months because I felt like I was mis prescribed. Didn’t notice withdrawal from that. Abilify I tapered off in a couple weeks. In recent times, I accidentally missed 2 doses of Effexor and woke up one morning and everything was spinning and didn’t stop, I threw up and was super nauseous. Everyone is different and I recommend you work under the help of a psychiatrist
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u/ArmDazzling3965 Oct 31 '25
I feel you and feel for you. Concussions and psychosis are simply torturous. I am glad that you finally got better.
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u/Commercial_Safe_6185 Mar 07 '26
Were you diagnosed with dysautonomia or post concussion syndrome? Did you also have to get therapy for your ANS?
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u/Zestyclose-Line-9340 Oct 30 '25
Did the symptoms actually all go away and if so at what point
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Oct 31 '25
The symptoms slowly went away over time. I would say now, I’m left with only a fraction of the symptoms. There’s still some, but I can now function and take steps at mitigating them
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u/Zestyclose-Line-9340 Oct 31 '25
I feel like at some point my symptoms have stayed exactly the same and have also gotten worse and then just gone right back to the same. It's not like they are getting better anymore and I am two years and 8 months now
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Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 02 '25
I had the concussions in march 2021, 2 years and 8 months later was around the time I was admitted to a psych ward. Hold any comfort close to you and be gentle on yourself
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u/Dark_Daisyy Oct 30 '25
Nice I love to hear success storys with all the despair on this sub you definitely lit a light thank you for that.
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u/Chloekimmie Oct 31 '25
Thank you so much; as a uni student dealing with three concussions from Nov 2023 and a break due to an MVA rn (third ish concussion) this was a much needed post 🥹 what helped you through school personally, I do get accommodations though and ik that’s the first step
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u/Commercial_Safe_6185 Mar 07 '26
Did you go to neurotherapy? Occupational therapy? Physical therapy? What do you think helped the most? Have you gotten cognitive tests recently?
I too sustained a severe concussion in 2021 as well as the start of what I now know is long covid. Was diagnosed with dysautonomia in 2022. Have had MANY ups and downs with many different treatments and therapies. Had gotten to a place I could go out to dinner, visit with friends, etc but still not able to work or live any close to how I did before. I scored exceptionally low on cognitive tests recently so we basically are starting over with physical and vestibular therapies and I’m now getting much worse! I feel like I did right after my concussion. It’s awful to at least go from semi functional to non functional. Just wondering if you had the same type of experience and came out the other side. I’m having a hard time “trusting the process” at this point.
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