I have had quite a few concussions. The number I've had actually diagnosed by a doctor is around a dozen. From various causes. Many being from sports, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and even riding a bike. I also got a bad one when i was jumped and repeatedly got kicked in the head. But I actually suffered thousands playing football. I didn't know they were concussions then, but I've been living with the impact now for about a decade.

So no I am not the same person. I used to be the class clown. The loud, joke slinging, life of the party, friends with everyone, center of attention guy. But after my third or fourth one my personality started to change.

I sank deep into depression. I went from the person described above to one who is basically a hermit. Social anxiety and panic attacks have paralyzed my entire life. I struggle to be in a room with more than two other people now. I can't hold down a real job. I have horrible sleep problems and also suffer from OCD.

My life is broken down into segments and I have to isolate myself in order to function when I do go out. I try to sleep and usually get about an hour or two. Wake up and shower for about an hour. I like the uninterrupted isolation and how I feel refreshed after them. After I show I eat then work out/go out for a few hours/meet up with friends/do normal tasks. If I'm gone for more than two or three hours I start to freak out and have to go home where the cycle begins again. Try to sleep. Hour shower. Eat. Try again.

Take concussions seriously. They ruined my life. And they changed who I am as a person.