146. Insomnia & PCS: An Interview with Steve Clapp

Steve Clapp is a retired marketing and finance professional from the Chicago area who suffered a concussion in January 2025 after falling on an icy driveway. His injury led to persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS) that affected nearly every aspect of daily life—visual overload, screen intolerance, sleep disruption, and visual vertigo made even ordinary environments difficult to navigate. Through self-advocacy, persistence, and finding the right providers, including NCX Brain Recovery and neuro-optometrist Dr. Devin Duvall, Steve has made remarkable progress in his recovery journey.In this inspiring episode, Steve Clapp shares his concussion journey and the challenges of navigating a healthcare system that often felt confusing and inconsistent. He discusses how a seemingly minor setback during vestibular therapy triggered a major flare that launched him into full-blown PCS, and how his world became increasingly smaller as symptoms worsened. Steve emphasizes that self-advocacy became one of the most important parts of his recovery—learning to advocate for himself, find the right providers, and not give up hope.Key topics covered include:The initial injury and lack of concussion education at the ERThe emotional toll of losing meaningful activities and his part-time job: his world ‘getting smaller’The importance of finding providers who specialize in concussion patientsHis experience at NCX Brain Recovery's two-week intensive programWorking with neuro-optometrist Dr. Devin Duvall for vision therapy, which also helped with his sleepManaging insomnia and nervous system dysregulationFinding balance between monitoring symptoms and taking breaks from thinking about recoveryThe importance of support from loved ones and finding a talk therapistPCS is non-linear. Recovery happens in phases, and progress is rarely a straight line. Self-advocacy is critical. Patients need to take an active role in finding answers and evaluating treatment options.The right providers exist. Finding practitioners with deep experience treating PCS makes a tremendous difference.Improvement often becomes visible only when you look backward. Recovery can feel frustratingly slow when measured day to day, but meaningful progress and healing are possible.The emotional component of PCS is often underestimated. Managing fear, uncertainty, setbacks, and nervous system activation is an important part of the recovery process.Steve's story is also a reminder that healing isn't just about treatment—it's about learning to navigate uncertainty, manage the emotional side of recovery, and continue moving forward even when progress isn't always obvious. His experience offers practical lessons and encouragement for anyone trying to find their way through post-concussion syndrome.Resources MentionedNCX Brain RecoveryIntensive concussion rehabilitation program offering occupational therapy, multi-sensory integration, and brain enhancement. Steve attended their two-week intensive program.Website: https://www.ncxbrainrecovery.com/Location: Springville, UtahDr. Devin Duvall, OD - Neuro-OptometristBoard-certified neuro-optometrist specializing in vision therapy and vision rehabilitation for concussion patients. Steve completed an intensive vision therapy program with Dr. Duvall.Website: https://www.newsightvt.com/Location: Provo, Utah (also offers virtual consultations)Dr. Duvall Podcast EpisodesEPISODE 28: How Vision Therapy Can Help With Concussions: Interview with Dr. DevinEpisode 111: Unlocking Concussion Recovery with Light: A Deep Dive into Syntonics with Dr. Devin DuvalEPISODE 116: Primitive Reflexes, Sleep, and Setbacks in Concussion Recovery: Interview with Dr. DevinGuest Contact InformationSteve ClappEmail: [email protected] has graciously offered to be available to answer questions from listeners who may be on their own concussion recovery journey.