The Quiet Reality of Loneliness After a Concussion

One of the most unexpected parts of concussion recovery — and honestly, one of the hardest — is the loneliness after a concussion that comes with it.

Not just the physical kind, like being stuck at home or cancelling plans for the third time that week.But the emotional kind. The kind no one really talks about.

The kind that whispers, “No one really gets what I’m going through.”

When Your Life Looks Different From Everyone Else’s

For many people healing from a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or living with post-concussion syndrome (PCS), the world moves on — but you're forced to slow down.

You might not have a big social circle. You may not have friends who check in weekly, or someone who just gets you without needing an explanation.

And when your energy is low and symptoms like fatigue, overstimulation, or brain fog hit hard, maintaining friendships can feel impossible.

I remember being at a bachelorette party once, watching the bride-to-be surrounded by friends who clearly knew her inside and out. I felt a quiet longing — a deep ache for that kind of connection.

And sometimes, even now, I still feel it. Especially on days when I scroll through social media and see people laughing with close-knit friend groups, going on spontaneous trips, or just being seen.

The Truth Is: You’re Not the Only One

There’s so much shame wrapped up in this topic. We’re told that loneliness means something is wrong with us. That if we don’t have a "tribe," we must be doing life wrong.

But here's the truth: You’re not the only one who feels this way.

Loneliness is a deeply human experience, and it’s even more common when you’re going through something that most people around you haven’t experienced — like a brain injury.

Why Loneliness after a Concussion Hits Hard During Recovery

• Your energy is limited, so keeping up with social connections feels draining

• Sensory overload or anxiety makes even simple conversations feel overwhelming

• You might feel misunderstood or dismissed when you try to explain your experience

• People who were once close may not know how to support you, so they fade away

All of this makes recovery feel even more isolating. But you're not broken — you're just in a different season.

Finding Connection in a Different Way

For me, online spaces became a place to connect. I met kind, compassionate people I could actually talk to — even if we’ve never met in person. Sometimes, those connections felt more meaningful than the ones I had IRL.

I’ve also learned to accept that I thrive in smaller, more intentional relationships. I don’t need a huge group. I need depth, safety, presence — even if it’s just with one or two people.Right now, I don’t even have the energy to build something deep. And that’s okay, too.

How to Cope with the Loneliness

If you're in this space — craving connection but feeling too tired or overwhelmed to reach out — here are some gentle ways to support yourself:

💛 Validate the feeling — Loneliness doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means you’re human.

📱 Find community online — Look for support groups or communities for concussion recovery, chronic illness, or mental health. (Sometimes people there just get it.)

🧠 Focus on self-connection — Journaling, mindfulness, or gentle self-care rituals can help you feel more grounded when others aren’t around.

🤝 Create space for future connection — Even if you can’t maintain deep friendships right now, know that this can change. You’re not stuck here forever.

It’s Okay to Feel Both

You can feel content with your life and long for more connection. You can feel grateful for the people you have and still miss that one friend who just feels like home.

It’s not black or white. It’s the beautiful complexity of being human — especially a human healing from something invisible like a concussion.

You’re Not Alone — Even If It Feels That Way

I know this post is a little vulnerable. But I wanted to share it because I know I’m not the only one.

And if you’re feeling this way too, I hope you know: You’re not broken. You’re not failing.

You’re not alone.

💛 I see you.

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: