My 8-Year Concussion Anniversary: The Real Story

Prefer to listen? Go to Podcast episode 165: "My 8-Year Concussion Anniversary: The Real Story".

On May 23rd, it was my 8 year concussion anniversary. So eight years – it's a long time.

Eight years ago, I was driving home from the station together with a friend on my scooter, and I got into an accident.

I sustained a whiplash, a concussion. At first, I thought, “Okay, everything is okay. I'm lucky.”

Only my uncle just hurt a bit, but that was it.

So I thought, “Okay, let's go to work the next day.” I did.

The First Weeks

The first few days – well, the first week – I was okay, but I just felt a bit weird.

I just didn't know what was going on. And then after a week, I couldn't work anymore.

I went home. I told my boss, “Okay, maybe I'm back next week.”

But the next week, I wasn’t there. The week after, I wasn’t there.

And from then I stayed home because I just couldn't go back to work

Life Before and After

Before the concussion, I was a very busy person. I always went to parties.

I loved to go to restaurants. I loved my work. I worked five days a week at the office.

I had lots of friends. I was always busy and happy.

Since the concussion, of course, you can't do all those things anymore.

I couldn't go to work. I couldn’t go to restaurants because it was so noisy. I felt overwhelmed all the time.

The Early Phase and Misdiagnoses

I remember this early phase – the first months – I went to my doctor many times.

My doctor told me just to rest, and that's it.

I got a lot of misdiagnoses. I felt very confused. I didn't know what was going on.

Those first few months – let’s say the first year – were really the hardest.

The first two years also. It felt like I tried a lot of things, but most of them didn’t work.

I felt disappointed over and over again. I just didn’t know what to do anymore.

My doctor didn’t know what to do. So the only option I got was to go to a psychologist.

Of course, this can help to process things – because it’s a very hard time.

But I really felt like I wanted to work on my symptoms. I wasn’t ready to accept them.

I really believed I could improve. I could reduce those symptoms.

Becoming My Own Doctor

I felt like I was my own doctor. I had to do the research myself.

I didn’t go to my doctor anymore after one year – there was just no help at all.

There were also some dark days.

I was home, couldn’t do anything, just lying on the couch waiting to get better.

I lost a lot of friendships. I lost my work. I lost many things because I just couldn’t do it anymore.

Even friends who visited – it was sometimes too busy, and they couldn’t stay long.

So yeah, I lost a lot, especially during the first two years.

An Identity Shift

When you’re having those health problems, when you're on the other side losing those things, it really felt like an identity shift.

From a very busy but happy person, to someone who had to do everything differently.

I couldn’t work. Maybe there were a few friends left, but I didn’t see them that much – it was just too much.

My life changed like 180 degrees.

The Emotional Side

There were also a lot of emotional issues. You feel the grief of your old life.

You feel frustrated. You feel maybe not believed or not supported – by doctors or friends or family.

For example, I remember I went to another doctor for my symptoms and neck pain.

He just asked, “Can you turn your head to the left?” I did. It hurt, but I could.

Then I turned to the right. I could move my neck, but it didn’t feel good – it was stiff and painful.

Because I could move my neck, he told me, “Okay, I think there’s nothing wrong.”

For vision issues, he said, “Just get some reading glasses.”

I remember I felt so misunderstood – sitting there barely able to function – and he just told me I was fine.

This wasn’t the only time. I visited many doctors who told me, “There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re fine. Just stressed.”

And yeah – that’s not helping, of course.

Looking Back - 8 Years Concussion Anniversary

When I look back now – it’s eight years ago – every year I wonder: “How is this already eight years ago?”

Time is flying. And now I try to look back and see what I’ve learned from it.

After three years, I started to reflect. Before that, I just saw the struggles.

But now I can see the positive things.

What I Learned

This concussion really taught me to listen to my body.

To set boundaries. To manage my emotions – things I never paid attention to before.

Before the accident, I always said yes to everything.

I planned so many things that I was always running from one thing to the next.

When I was with friends, my mind was already at the next appointment.

Now, I’ve learned to enjoy the moment.

Because that’s all we really have – the present.

The past is past. The future we don’t know. But we can change what we do now.

A New Life and Purpose

I’ve learned so much. I shifted my view on health. I value rest.

It even makes me more productive. My self-worth is better than before.

I’ve learned about myself, the healthcare system, and how to advocate for myself.

I also changed my work. I can’t work in an office – it’s too loud, too overwhelming.

I can’t watch a screen for eight hours.

Now I run The Concussion Community and the Concussion Boost Program.

It gives me purpose. I can help others – and that’s something I always missed in my old job.

Helping people, moving them forward – that’s what I love.

From Darkness to Direction

In my first year, I couldn’t even imagine doing something like this.

But one day I had the thought: “I want to do this.” And I just started

I built the community from scratch. It’s been four years now, and I still love it.

I keep building it. I keep building the programme.

So I just want everyone who’s reading to know:

If you’re out of work, feeling sick, thinking you’ll never work again – I felt the same.

But there’s always a way.

And yes, I completely agree: we need to focus on health first.

Because if you don’t have your health, everything else is very hard.

Warmly,

Silvie

7 things that have helped me the most in concussion recovery

What helped you the most?" I received this question daily in my inbox. That's why I created a free eBook so you can clearly see what truly aided my recovery.

These things helped me to:

✔️ reduce fatigue & brain fog

✔️ have more energy ✔️ improve my sleep ✔️ feel less stressed

✔️ exercise again (finally!) ✔️ have a better mood

Download it for free: