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The Hidden Epidemic is called
“The Hidden Epidemic” is a forty minute educational film that explores the connection between concussion and suicidal depression. A very high percentage of concussion victims (especially teens) experience various degrees of memory loss, anxiety, change in personality, and ultimately depression. Along the way, many begin to seek relief by self-medicating with alcohol and drugs which both exacerbates and masks the real nature of the problem. At the end, months or years later, blame is usually placed on drugs, alcohol and toxic music when the true underlying cause was a common concussion. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) anxiety and depression affect 38,000,000 Americans each year. Suicide, often the result of an untreated anxiety-depressive disorder is the eighth ranked cause of death in America (Amen, 2003). Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for teens. The technologies and techniques of successfully dealing with this epidemic (emphasis mine) are now available and I feel a moral obligation to do something about this. In 1995 my son was fortunate to have received proper treatment for a debilitating concussion and he survived suicidal depression – I also knew four other fine young people who did not.
"The Hidden Epidemic" explores a little known medical condition called Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS). PCS is possibly the most under-diagnosed, yet widespread condition affecting young people today. This is because PCS masks, or hides itself by appearing to be many other things. Symptoms of PCS include inability to learn, abuse of drugs and alcohol, and loss of motivation or joy in things previously found pleasurable. PCS basically ruins lives, yet nobody knows about it because no one is looking at the role mild brain injury plays in negative personality changes. In 2004 the Department of Education acknowledged that nearly 30% of high school students drop out of school. The top four reasons that former students cite for dropping out of school are: lost motivation, difficulty getting along with others, the abuse of drugs and alcohol, and difficulty learning. Interestingly, these are also symptoms of Post Concussion Syndrome Drs. Daniel Amen and Joan Rosenberg are the medical authorities who describe the nature of this condition, while pro athletes like Matt Hasselbeck and Johnny Damon describe their experiences with PCS. Harvard's Chris Nowinski, author of "Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis" tells his story, including the death of a teammate on the field after a second concussion. The Hidden Epidemic uses an effective dramatization throughout its 40 minutes featuring actress Dalenna Thomas to help tell its story. Dalenna's performance is especially touching and realistic because she experienced a concussion in high school and like so many others, she became depressed which led to suicidal thoughts. Every day untold thousands of our young people are living with anxiety and depression and they have no idea why they’re that way, or how to get better. As Newsweek magazine reported, “it’s a hidden epidemic of underachievement, despair and failure, failure in schools, in relationships and in the workplace.” Are you or someone you love depressed? Confused? Forgetful? Are you experiencing a loss of motivation? If so, then you need to see The Hidden Epidemic and learn what might be going on in your brain. Learn what you can do to reclaim your life. Order the Hidden Epidemic now!
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