Spinal Cord Injury: Combating Depression in SCI Survivors
If you endure a serious spinal cord injury, you may not feel alive. You may wish you weren't alive or feel like a prisoner trapped in a useless shell. It is important for you to know that you are not alone, and there are thousands of people who feel just like you. While your condition may not reverse itself, as time progresses, improvements will be made both emotionally and physically. You will naturally go through the grieving process and probably through the stages of depression; this is all normal and part of the healing process.
Mental health is a critical aspect of living with a spinal cord injury. Depression strikes 1 in 5 people with spinal cord injuries which is an alarming figure. Dealing with emotional distress is just as valid and every bit as important as dealing with the injury itself. In order to take care of your physical health and begin the healing process, you need to think about your psychological health. Your willingness to cope and carry on depends upon your inner strength and positive attitude. Because many people with spinal cord injuries are riddled with despair, it is important to see the signs of depression and strive to rise above those feelings of despair.
Depression often causes sleeplessness or excessive sleepiness. It spurs changes in appetite, irrational thoughts, suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. Depression due to a serious injury can be much more severe than some other situations which may cause depression. If the spinal cord injury has caused serious and permanent changes, the feelings of anxiety and depression may last longer and be more difficult to drive away. It is so important to seek immediate help for depression because mental health often precedes physiological health and wellness. A positive state of mind is imperative to mending the body and in order to deal with the process of recovery, one need be focused and motivated to succeed. This cannot be achieved unless depression has been overcome. You can beat depression.
If the person you once were is replaced by someone you no longer recognize it's time to get help. By seeking community groups focused on spinal cord injuries you will be able to communicate with others who are familiar with your situation. There is no possible way that someone could understand how you feel about this injury other than someone who has successfully coped with it themselves.
Addressing the serious problem of depression should be done as soon as symptoms are noticed. It is understandable that you may not want to leave your home. Although getting out and seeing others has many benefits for your physical and mental well-being, it is understandable that you would want to remain in the comfort of your own home; security and familiarity are extremely important in times of turmoil and uncertainty. The most effective method in dealing with depression is to take a multi-faceted approach, and the more loved ones who are involved in the process, the better. Some ideas for dealing with depression are:
- Online communities for those with spinal cord injuries
- Blogging about your condition to express yourself and help others
- Community resource groups
- Researching your injury and educating yourself
- Discovering new hobbies and interests
- Counseling and medications
Once you can control your depression, you can begin to cope with your injury. Once you can cope with your injury, you can reassess your situation. These are key ingredients to overcome your limitations and realize that there are more things that define you than you ever imagined. The process will be long and difficult but you are a survivor, after all. You are armed with the information you need to succeed and you have strength and support from loved ones and thousands of other survivors that you haven't even met yet. You are here for a reason and figuring out that reason will be your next, big challenge.
For more information on combating depression, download our FREE PDF guide:
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