PCS Tip: Stop Redlining Your Brain #pcsrecovery #concussionrecovery
In this short tip, David Brimacombe uses a car‑engine analogy to explain why people with post‑concussion syndrome (PCS) often feel emotionally overwhelmed when they finally try to relax. He describes how constantly being in a high‑adrenaline, high‑cortisol state—fuelled by nonstop phone use, work pressure, and even fast‑forwarded podcasts—keeps the nervous system “revved” like an engine under constant load. Because the system never gets a chance to down‑regulate, the moment the person sits down and attempts to settle, the nervous system crashes, leading to a shutdown and an emotional mess. The core message is that PCS patients need to intentionally and gradually reduce stimulation to allow the nervous system to down‑regulate, preventing the abrupt shutdown.
