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UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus | Friedman Building – Physical Therapy & Research Clinic Concussions, a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), are caused by a direct or indirect force that moves and accelerates the brain inside the skull. While loss of consciousness may occur following an injury, symptoms vary significantly among individuals. Common signs involve headaches, dizziness, mental fog, difficulty concentrating, and vision and balance problems. For many people

When we view a brain injury solely through a clinical lens, diagnoses and treatment plans often overshadow the person's daily reality. Real recovery requires a much deeper, more compassionate understanding. This week on the Mind & Brain Student Podcast, we sat down with Emma Knock to discuss her unique pathway from community-based non-profit work to the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program at UBC. Now a first-year student in the Northern Cohort in Prince George, Emma

When I was growing up, I was always told that I was my grandmother's favourite. Family members would tell me how much I reminded her of her own mother, and some of my earliest memories are tied to the stories she shared, the traditions she carried with her, and the love she gave to those around her. When I was around five years old, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. As a child, I did not fully understand what that diagnosis meant. What I did understand wa

Welcome to the latest installment on the Mind & Brain Student Network BC blog. Today, we have the privilege of sharing a deeply reflective and inspiring piece by Christopher Brian Dittrich. Since sustaining an injury on March 3, 2008, Christopher has spent the last 18 years navigating the complex, non-linear path of recovery. From his early days hitting major physical milestones in New Jersey to currently navigating the bustling streets of Bangkok with confidence, his journey

A More Holistic Approach to Concussion Pain Management Many believe that pain arises solely from physical injury. While a concussion could involve physical force that causes headache and neck pain, current research shows that pain involves more than just physical injury. Earlier pain theories, such as the specificity theory and intensity theory, suggest that pain is proportional to the extent of physical injury. With a more holistic psychological view, researchers have found

Hi everyone, The last time I wrote and shared an update on this blog, I was really struggling to wake up in the mornings. Thankfully, I have been able to find a bit of stability recently. While I still occasionally wake up with a headache, things have genuinely gotten better—and I promise you, when I say things will get better, they really do. My mornings now consist of eating breakfast, washing my face, and resting in a semi-reclined position with an ice head wrap for 3

Meet Jordana, a first-year Master of Occupational Therapy student at UBC. Having navigated the unpredictable and often frustrating path of two concussions, she is turning her personal challenges into a foundation for her future profession. Jordana is sharing her story with the Mind & Brain Student Network BC to shed light on the invisible nature of brain injuries and to highlight the vital role of community support and self-advocacy in the healing process. How It Happened Ca

April, the time of exams and hectic-ness. As someone living with a health condition, April is daunting and worsens the stresses. Here are some ways I take care of myself when studying or among a busy/stressful time in general. - Stay hydrated! - Go for a walk at least once a day, get some fresh air - Spend time with friends, and that can be to study with them although it is not as productive it provides you with dopamine and good laughter and

Living with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) and dysautonomia often means your nervous system is working overtime. Things that used to be automatic now require a lot of intentional planning. Through a lot of trial and error, I have figured out what helps keep my symptoms manageable. Here are the everyday hacks that help me function, stay grounded, and continue recovering. 🌅 Morning Routine & Regulating the Body Slow Mornings: With PCS and dysautonomia, morning cortisol spikes

Managing university life with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) often feels like a full-time job on top of your actual studies. When I was navigating my terms, I quickly realized that "pushing through" wasn't an option—I had to adapt. Whether you are dealing with light sensitivity, chronic migraines, or noise triggers, here is the essential checklist of what helped me survive (and thrive) in daily student life. 🏛️ The Academic "Must-Dos" Don’t wait until you’re falling behind t

I never imagined that a head injury in November 2023 would completely change the trajectory of my life. I fell off my bike on campus on cement while colliding with a pedestrian. What started as multiple head injuries turned into persistent post-concussive syndrome. At first, I believed recovery would be linear — rest, treatment, gradual improvement. But concussion recovery is rarely that simple. However also during this time I was dismissed by my family physician to take Tyl

Recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or concussion is rarely a straight line. While clinical care is the foundation, managing daily life—from schoolwork to social outings—requires a specialized toolkit. Whether you are dealing with persistent post-concussion symptoms (PCS) or looking for ways to support a loved one, these resources and strategies can help bridge the gap between treatment and true quality of life. 1. Essential Tools for Symptom Management Managing a

As February is the month of love, I’d love to share some self-care strategies I found to help me, while dealing with health. Post-concussion syndrome doesn’t look the way people expect it to. It’s not just headaches that fade with time. For many of us, it’s daily migraines, nausea, light sensitivity, sleep disruption, and a nervous system that feels permanently “on edge.” Healing isn’t linear, and it definitely isn’t fast. Over time, I’ve learned that self-care with PCS isn’t

Immediate Action: Red Flags If you suspect a concussion, stop your activity immediately—especially sports. If you or a friend experience severe neck pain, double vision, seizures, repeated vomiting, or loss of consciousness, call 911 or seek emergency medical help right away A Holistic Approach to Healing Recovery isn't just about lying in a dark room (in fact, total isolation can sometimes make things worse!). It requires a balance of physical and psychological care. 1. P

Why Are We Talking About Head Injuries? It’s easy to dismiss a bump on the head, but the reality is much more complex. In British Columbia alone, approximately 14,500 people visit the ER annually for concussions, yet awareness about the long-term effects remains surprisingly low. For students, this is a critical conversation. Research shows that about 40% of college students report having at least one concussion in their history. Defining the Terms Concussion: A mild trauma

Going back to school is often framed as a fresh start. New term, new notebooks, new motivation. But when you return to school with ongoing symptoms — migraines, nausea, fatigue, brain fog — the experience is very different. It’s not a reset. It’s a negotiation. This term, I didn’t come back feeling “better.” I came back still healing. One of the hardest adjustments has been accepting that my body and my schedule no longer move at the same speed as the academic calendar. Morni

Trigger Warning (TW) Below : Content related to eating disorder (ED) Food has always been a difficult concept for me ever since I started to become self conscious in 6th grade and later on it progressed that I developed an eating disorder (ED). Before I developed an ED in grade 9, I started to feel self-conscious; for example, I felt obligated to wear makeup every single day when I went out and I was fearful of others seeing my bare face. This stemmed from numerous factors su

Whether it is moving schools, graduating, or starting afresh, a new transition is always scary. It can seem daunting for everybody, and for a long time, it certainly felt that way for me. The Weight of New Beginnings The transition from high school to university was one of the most impactful shifts in my life, and it severely impacted my mental health. I found myself juggling so many changes at once: Adjusting to a completely new environment. The stress of "finding your peopl

Journaling—yes, to some people journaling may appear cliche, or something useless, or something that little kids do. In our younger years, I remember in my classes and for my English academy classes I was forced to journal, and did not enjoy it (maybe because I was forced to. Lol.) But, recently this past year I started journaling again and it has helped me tremendously. So, I would love to share how I journal, and the benefits it has brought me as well as research-proven ben

I just wanted to share one of my favourite ways to get exercise, running, and the benefits that running provides for our mental health. Personally, when I was going through depression I initially just went to the gym a lot and weight trained. However, I still wasn’t feeling better as exercising is supposed to make you feel. Of course, it wasn’t just because I wasn’t doing enough cardio (since I was walking a lot on campus) - the reason I wasn’t getting better was there were o