[rl3]

Regular intense cardiovascular exercise is great. Having had over half a dozen concussions myself, the increased cerebral perfusion it affords makes a marked difference in recovery trajectory.

That said, obtaining medical clearance first is always best.

Sleep, healthy diet, exercise, and low amounts of bad stress will pay dividends. Since you're turning 18 soon, try to avoid heavy alcohol consumption at least until you're feeling better.

You want good stress—be it mental or physical—the kind that lets you push yourself in a way that builds you up such that you can claw your way back to function and feel good doing it. Avoid the bad kind that tears you down and degrades function. Sometimes, no stress is best.

A psychiatrist could potentially work wonders for you, especially if they have experience with brain injury. They're experts in psychopharmacology, and their armamentarium includes a lot more than caffeine pills.

You're still young, so you have a lot more time than you think to heal and still live the life you want. Best of luck!

[AdviceAlt]

I'll try some cardiovascular exercise. I find walks in nature (there's a nearby forest) significantly improve my mental health, but they're not intensive. I've already discussed going to the gym with my GP (to fix RSI) so I should be alright doing some.

I've never had alcohol and don't intend to. Never liked the smell of beer/cider/etc, and with the concussion I see no reason to try a brain-impairing chemical when my overarching difficulty is with my brain being impaired. There isn't any peer pressure from friends, since they understand why, so I've had no problems with it.

I'll ask my GP about a psychiatrist referral. I've had a referral to neurology, who booked an MRI and referred me further on to a specialist, but there's another 6 months of expected waiting for the specialist. They also prescribed two pills for trying to control the headaches, but they've both failed (side effects and lack of effect).

Thank you.