Untreated Concussions Can Ruin Lives

USC-Legend-Anthony-Davis-Hopes-To-Help-Chris-Brymer-Get-CTE-Evaluation

You may already know the sad story of Chris Brymer. Once a star football player with the University of Southern California Trojans, and after that, the Dallas Cowboys, he’s been living primarily on the street for almost a decade. He has repeatedly refused help from those who know and respect him, and whether or not he’ll ever want help, remains to be seen.

Unfortunately, Chris is one of a number of former NFL players whose careers at the pinnacle of American sports, left them with comprehension, memory and other cognitive problems that made it difficult to navigate the challenges of life down the road.

It wasn’t always this way for Chris. After he retired from professional football, he and his wife had a successful business in Southern California for several years. But eventually Chris’s behavioral changes (which had begun while he was still playing football), delusions and cognitive decline impaired his ability to run their business, and it subsequently collapsed. His wife divorced him when their son was two. Likely with little to no cognitive reserve from which to draw, his condition appeared to deteriorate even further after this.

Many people suspect that Chris has been suffering from CTE – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – the consequence of repeated impacts to the head that are so much a part of American football and other sports, including ice hockey and “heading” soccer balls.

And while the news headlines have focused primarily on professional athletes and veterans, concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are occurring every day among the general population. Falls, sport-related injuries, assaults, and accidents lead to nearly 2 million emergency room visits every year, on top of the hundreds of thousands of concussions and incidents of head trauma that are never reported, and therefore, never diagnosed.

Yet, whether they occur in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, undetected and untreated head injuries are a common contributing factor for homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, school and work failure, and incarceration. Simply put, when the brain is hurt, it is harder to make good decisions and be successful in life.

The good news is that it is possible to rehabilitate the brain! You truly are not stuck with the brain you have – even if you’ve been bad to it. Just as we helped Anthony Davis (as in the video above) and many other NFL players improve the function of their brain after years of abuse from football, we can help you and your loved ones too.

If you are concerned about persistent symptoms of head trauma, a call to our Care Center can answer your questions and provide you with valuable information that can lead you to a better brain and a better life. Find out how. Call 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit today.

10 Comments »

  1. Do you take up collections for ordinary people too? I was one of the smartest young people in the country at age 26 in 1994. I won both the top graduate fellowships in the country in science and the humanities. I am very sure no one has ever done that before or after. My IQ was over 150.

    Due to multiple concussions from domestic abuse in close succession over a year, I have lost much brain and life function. Rather than a stellar career I live on disability. And my NJ Medicaid does not cover any concussion clinic, let alone something like your programs.

    I could be used to draw attention to domestic abuse as well.

    Comment by Natasha Millikan — March 23, 2016 @ 6:43 AM

  2. Natasha – We hope you are now safe from domestic violence in your life, so you can continue taking care of your health. We have an upcoming event that may be helpful to you. Dr. Amen and his wife, Tana, are going to be doing a free live class that will be streamed online as well. It is called The Brain Warrior’s Way. It is starting Weds. May 4th and at 5:30 PST (8:30 NJ time) for one hour. It goes on for 6 months. I think you will find it full of very helpful information that may help you with your symptoms. Shortly, we will have more announcements and sign up info.

    Comment by Amen Clinics — March 23, 2016 @ 8:32 AM

  3. I was wondering the same thing……..if domestic abuse could cause some loss of brain function……..aside from anxiety, depression and PTSD.

    Comment by Sharon Keel Taniguchi — March 23, 2016 @ 7:04 PM

  4. I’m with you. Used to be very smart. Feel I have lost a ton of function after a very short marriage to an abuser. The chronic terror and stress as well as the physical attacks are life (and brain) altering for sure. I would absolutely LOVE to see a study on domestic violence survivors and brain recovery!

    Comment by Chris — March 24, 2016 @ 12:43 AM

  5. I would also find this helpful being a victim of domestic violence. Can you please send me the information. I would be willing to participate in a study.

    Comment by Suzanne — March 24, 2016 @ 4:13 AM

  6. Natasha – here is the link, info and sign-up for the free class, the Brain Warrior’s Way: http://www.brainmdhealth.com/brain-warriors-way-live

    Comment by Amen Clinics — March 24, 2016 @ 12:27 PM

  7. Chris – If you are interested, here is the link for the free Brain Warrior’s Way class with Dr. and Tana Amen that starts in May. http://www.brainmdhealth.com/brain-warriors-way-live

    Comment by Amen Clinics — March 24, 2016 @ 12:27 PM

  8. Hi Suzanne – Here is the landing page and sign-up for the free class. We think you’ll find it very helpful.
    http://www.brainmdhealth.com/brain-warriors-way-live

    Comment by Amen Clinics — March 24, 2016 @ 12:27 PM

  9. I would love to, but I work on Wednesday nights. If I join, can I watch it at another time?

    Comment by Chris — March 24, 2016 @ 12:54 PM

  10. Yes, each class will be available online afterward.

    Comment by Amen Clinics — March 24, 2016 @ 1:11 PM

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