Head games: Former volleyball player believes concussions led to mental health issues

.....It is a subject important to Stephanie Cahill. She played club volleyball from 14 to 16 years old. She suffered five concussions, two of them while playing the sport. Now 23, she believes the anxiety and depression she has experienced since the injuries are related.

Studies have shown that Cahill is justified in the way she feels.....

.....Cahill said the concussions affected her emotional, mental and physical health. She had bouts of depression. She’s fought hard to get better.

“I have found ways to cope with it better, but they do still exist,” said Cahill, who graduated from Arizona State University in the spring, but did not play volleyball. “Through that and more research has come out linking all of the mental health issues that athletes are experiencing to brain trauma.”.....

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Bethany`s Notes: READ THIS! We are still learning about concussions and the long term effect on the brain. Perhaps there should be a minimum time frame before kids (those under 25??) can return to sport after a concussion (even if they don`t show symptoms or signs).