Do you suspect that your coworkers roll their eyes when they hear you’ll be out again because ‘your concussion is acting up’? Do you want to convince them that you are genuine but don’t know how? Does the stigma of ‘faking it’ cause you stress and anxiety? This is a common situation we see at our Aurora Thornhill physical therapy and rehabilitation clinic. As in all cases of prejudice, ignorance is at the root. Education about the injury is the best way to control such suspicions.

1. Concussion is a heterogeneous injury

It is reported that about 80% of injuries are self-limiting, meaning they resolve without issue with the general advice provided by our Toronto area Post-Concussion Syndrome specialists; however, 20% are more complicated. This may be due to the mechanism of injury, the specific location where the brain was traumatized, or subclinical conditions that you had, and were unaware of, prior to your injury. So early on, if you’re in the 20% who have long, complicated recoveries, your coworkers will think of 4 other people who didn’t have the same problems you have, so they’ll start to suspect that you’re using your concussion as an excuse to escape work.

2. Concussions have a heterogeneous course

This is something we can all identify with. Have you ever been in the “zone” and said to yourself “I’ve got this!”? The reason is that our physiology at any moment has an infinite variety of potential states, and some states are more advantageous than others. For example, the quantitative EEG shows an infinite variety of neurological activations in the brain, some more efficient and better suited to certain tasks. This is influenced by how well you slept, how you feel, your beliefs, your energy level, etc.; and in turn influences hormone levels, your immune function, your ability to regulate the function of your autonomic nervous system, etc. These, in turn, will affect your energy level, your concentration, your resistance to potential allergens or viruses, your ability to focus your eyes, etc. These factors are a bit like the different colors on a Rubik’s cube, so it’s easy to see how one might feel stuck at some point.

It’s perfectly possible, more the rule than the exception, to have post-concussion syndrome and perform pretty well one day, but not be able to get out of bed the next. For reasons similar to the examples given above, a post-concussion patient’s ability to function well can quickly be compromised by things as mundane as sinusitis, poor night’s sleep, a headache, too much visual stimulation, or even the stress caused by the “faking it” stigma created by suspicious co-workers in relation to their non-concussed co-workers.

For those seeking physical therapy in Aurora, Ontario or sports physical therapy in Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, or the surrounding areas, we have 2 conveniently located locations to help you recover from your concussion.