Top 5 Topics Student-Athletes Wish They Could Talk About With Someone Else Who Went Through It

1. “Identity Foreclosure”

The Short Version

• Feeling a loss of identity due to an inability to participate in your sport is normal
• Deciding not to participate in your sport is a smart decision that will positively impact your life in the long term
• Finding a sports psychologist is one of the best ways to cope with identity foreclosure
• Identity foreclosure can be a contributing factor to depression–If you are thinking about harming yourself, you must contact a medical professional

The In-Depth Version
As student-athletes, we often identify ourselves with our sport. Sports have always been such a large part of our lives that they have come to help define us. In the case of a prolonged concussion recovery, you may have to either sit out from returning to your sport for a few months, years, or possibly make the decision not to return at all. Sometimes a doctor will advise you not to return and in other situations, you may have to make that very difficult decision on your own. And it is a decision that may make you feel like you are losing a part of your identity. It is so difficult to cope with that, and you may not feel like you have the support of your family or teammates.

You will miss your sport. You will miss your teammates. Sometimes it will be hard to watch your team from the sideline, and you will probably wish you were back out there. The most important thing to come to terms with is that you are making the right decision. You were smart enough to remove yourself from a high-risk situation of getting injured again. It may not seem fair at times, but the life you have ahead of you is much more important in the long run.

One of the best resources out there for someone dealing with identity foreclosure is a sports psychologist. Meeting with a sports psychologist can help you gain a different perspective, give you an opportunity to speak your mind and gain a release from many of your stresses. As much as it seems like your sport is everything they can help you realize that there is more out there for you. Sports are amazing and, in most cases, they’ve shaped us into who we’ve become as people. However, you cannot let losing the ability to play, either temporarily or permanently, affect your life in irreversible ways. Identity foreclosure can be a contributing factor to depression, so it is crucial to speak with a medical professional if you are thinking about harming yourself.

2. Mood Volatility

The Short Version

• Mood swings are normal during a prolonged concussion recovery
• Do your best not to take your emotional frustrations out on those around you
• One of the best ways to help with emotional volatility is to communicate about how you’re feeling on a regular basis–there is no need to bottle it up

The In-Depth Version
Often times during a prolonged concussion recovery your mood swings suddenly and drastically. One day you may be in a great mood and feeling positive, and then you drop your pen in class and just get so upset. This rapid volatility in moods is something that most have not experienced before and it can be both frightening and frustrating.

It is important to come to terms with emotional volatility and do what you can to not take it out on those around you in a negative way (for example, your parents). Keeping the lines of communication open is a great way to help with this. The more you can be open and honest about your mood shifts, the easier it will be to navigate your emotions and outbursts. Those around you are there to support you. This is not to say that they will always understand. Most of the time, you yourself may have difficulty understanding how you’re feeling and why. But try to be patient and acknowledge that these mood swings may happen without a real reason. You are not to blame, and you can work through them.

3. Feeling Like the Only One

The Short Version

• Feeling like you’re the only one, or isolated, by your concussion can be one of the hardest things to overcome
• This site is a testament to the fact that you are NOT alone
• If you know someone who has gone through a prolonged concussion recovery, talk to them about it

The In-Depth Version
One of the hardest things to overcome as a student-athlete undergoing a prolonged concussion recovery is feeling like you are the only one. When you are going through emotions and experiences that you can’t understand yourself, it is difficult to believe that anyone else could. The only people that could understand are those who have experienced it firsthand. The fact that you are on this site should prove to you that you are not the only one and that there are other student-athletes facing very similar challenges.

It is such a relief when you finally hear that somebody else understands what you are going through. Take advantage of this resource, and if someone you know has gone through a prolonged recovery, don’t hesitate to talk to them about it! The stress relief alone will likely expedite your recovery.

4. Change of Environment

The Short Version

• Being proactive about managing a changing environment can help avoid symptom flare ups
• Changing environments can include: returning to school after a break, moving, change in workload, etc.
• Gradually transitioning to your change in environment can help (for example, adjust your sleep habits to mimic your school sleep schedule when returning from break)

The In-Depth Version
Understanding how to best manage a change of environment can really help avoid flaring up symptoms. A change of environment could mean returning to school after a holiday break, moving from one geography to another, change in workload, etc. Your day-to-day schedule changes and your brain has to adjust to the new environment.

Something that tends to help is trying to gradually transition into the new environment while still in the old. For example, if you are going to return to school in a couple weeks, try to get into your typical sleeping schedule at school by adjusting 15 minutes each night, then try doing a little work more and more each day until you mimic what it will be like at school, etc. This will allow your body and mind to better absorb the shock to your system. This can be applied to any kind of environmental change. Not to say things will be perfect, but it could help.

5. Limitation of Normal Day-to-Day Activities

The Short Version

• Listen to your doctor when they tell you to limit TV, reading, using your phone, using the computer, playing video games etc.
• Don’t push your own limits, trust your body
• Find activities that are entertaining but do not cause symptom flare ups: playing guitar, drawing, spending time with family, etc.
• Look at this as an opportunity to enjoy simpler things you might not otherwise have time for
• Discuss your limitations with friends and family before making time to socialize with them

The In-Depth Version
Being told to stop/reduce watching TV, reading books, using your phone, playing video games, spending time on a computer, or whatever other activities your doctor suggested limiting, can be kind of a pain…and really boring. You may notice that even reading a magazine will flare up some symptoms, and not being able to play video games with friends can seem like a burden.

Trust your limits; especially at the beginning, you will be happier in the long run if it helps expedite your recovery. It may seem boring at times, but try to find some simple activities that do not bother you. For example, if strumming an acoustic guitar makes you happy (and does not flare up your symptoms) then go for it! Maybe you’ll find that drawing or cooking are good activities. Try not to dwell on the fact that you may be limited‚ and look at it as more of an opportunity to do some simple activities you wouldn’t usually get to do.

Sometimes simple human interaction is the best way to pass time without feeling like you are living in a cell. Taking time to talk with friends or parents can strengthen your relationship and help you enjoy your time. You may need to discuss what your limitations are beforehand, but friends and loved ones are generally more than willing to accommodate and not put you in a position where you have to weigh harming your recovery and spending time with them.