I. What advice would you give the patient about playing sports safely ?
About playing it safe, my advice is that sport is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health but safety has to come first !
So, you need to know the signs of a concussion and do not push through them because your brain needs time to recover before returning to play. Also, you need to listen to your body and to talk openly : if you're feeling depressed or anxious, say it !
II. What questions would you have for the patient regarding playing sports ?
The questions I would have are :
- Have you experienced a concussion ?
- Are you playing because you love your sport or because of pressure from people ?
- Do you already feel anxiety or low mood ?
- And finally, do you have a support system (like coaches or family) you feel comfortable talking to about your sport ?