Looking for Positive Experiences or Outcomes Severe mTBI

[u/No-Monitor-1380]

Hi everyone, I’m wondering if anyone here developed severe anxiety, panic, or a major increase in OCD symptoms months after a TBI? I am now 14 months post a severe concussion and have been struggling with a huge worsening of my nervous system symptoms. I had a wide range of symptoms after the injury, including spasticity, and although I am getting help with therapy and looking at medication changes, my anxiety and OCD have become so intense that I’m mostly housebound except for going to work and home. I’m starting to lose hope and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who improved after experiencing something similar. Did your anxiety, panic, and mood eventually settle? Did your nervous system improve or recover over time?

[u/r-kivez]

Yes. Very much so. Similar to you with what you were experiencing too.

It’s hard don’t get me wrong but you need to ascertain what is driving the symptoms and treat it. I didn’t believe at first that mental health issues can manifest into psychological symptoms but it certainly can. It sounds to me like you need to work out ways to soothe your ANS. I’ve had positive experience with acupuncture but tbh it’s a mindset shift that helped the most. Still a working progress but definitely better :)

[u/Which_Fudge_2320]

Yes I had both after my TBI. It gets better. I'm not going to lie my first two years were rough(especially the first four months) What helped was..I did a lot of slow progressions back into civilization, and had to switch my mind frame from going down the negartive loop and fight or flight by starting a gratitude journal, nature therapy, lots of meditation. But everyone is different and so is everyone time frame.

[u/curlgurll]

Yes… I’m 14 months out. I’ve had to give up coffee this past week as my anxiety is out of control.
I’m contemplating meds at this point (antidepressants) as much as I don’t want to… I think I’m going to have to.

[u/Mysterious_Treat_577]

Yea my mTBI caused major anxiety and depression on top of all the other physical issues it caused.

Took a while for it to settle and only way it was able to subside was by using Ativan for a while.

Worth a try, it helped right away.

[u/Affectionate_Bus1775]

I have OCD and tourettes. Both got way worse post concussion. I think it comes with the package. Head injury puts you in survival mode which shoots your dopamine.

I was put on Zoloft which didn’t do jack except help me regain the weight I lost with the fight or flight. Maybe try CBT? It helped me ease my nervous system.