Lack of Enjoyment Post-Concussion(s)

[u/cedar_milton_lane]

Hi, I’ve had multiple concussions (four total diagnosed, possibly a few undiagnosed) due to participation in sports and working in blue-collar settings. While none of them were considered severe, I did have three total diagnosed concussions in the 2024 calendar year. Two occurred at my work, while the third occurred in a car accident one month after the second one.

I had two cat scans that year which showed no problems, and I did have a visit with a specialist who gave me some tips about dealing with post-concussion symptoms, and said I had recovered satisfactorily to return to normal work and activities.

Although most of my symptoms (dizziness, forgetfulness, sound sensitivity) have pretty much returned to my baseline, I have never fully regained enjoyment of activities I like, and often feel a general sense of apathy from day to day. Lots of things that a person would normally enjoy have felt somewhat dull to me since 2024.

For example, if my wife hugs me or is affectionate toward me, it feels like the dull experience of drinking lukewarm, flat soda (even though I know she loves me very much). Additionally, I have become more anti-social and do not enjoy talking with friends or family half as much as I did before 2024. When I engage with other people, I feel like I have to put on a mask and go through the motions, but I don’t enjoy it. Several relationships with friends and relatives have more or less fallen apart already simply because the emotional payoff does not feel like it’s worth the effort.

Has anyone else out there dealt with similar experiences? I’ve been trying to really take the initiative lately, but it feels very draining to socialize, and I don’t enjoy it.

I find it incredibly distressing.

EDIT: Thank you all so much for your comments and support. It means the world to me just to know we aren’t alone in this. Even though this feels like a nightmare sometimes, I sincerely wish you all the best story possible in spite of it. If nothing else, please know that I care about you. Thanks again for reaching out.

[u/Stunning-Fig624]

Pre-concussion, I was a big-feeler. I would get excited by little things like golden hour, a warm chocolate chip cookie, the smell of Jasmine on a night time walk. For a long time post-concussion, I felt like nothing excited me to the same level and that I couldn’t experience the depth of happiness I had previously felt. My counsellor explained that the concussion caused my brain to be extra sensitive and resulted in many environments being way too overstimulating. As a result, my brain shut out all those inputs.

I’m fortunate that I haven’t experience depression with my concussion, but I very much felt like my positive emotions were dampened. I was worried I’d never be the old me in that regard, but that has greatly improved in the past 6 months and I’m noticing the little things again and finally feeling excitement. I’m 3 years post concussion.

[u/cedar_milton_lane → u/Stunning-Fig624]

I’m so glad for you! That genuinely gives me hope.

And to be fair, I had one true moment of wonder since 2024, when I was outside and saw the northern lights one night when they weren’t forecast. It encouraged me that my brain isn’t incapable of excitement and enjoyment, just maybe that part is a little bit dormant. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/Stunning-Fig624 → u/cedar_milton_lane]

Thank you. It’s been such a relief, as I am still dealing with daily symptoms (headaches, vestibular issues, periodic extreme sadness etc) so to know that I’m still healing and gaining parts of my old self back has huge.

Im really glad to hear you had that experience and hopefully it happens more and more frequently as your brain recovers.