5 replies to this topic

[sits2much]

I just wanted to know if anyone else out there had to start taking psych meds after there injury. I had to start taking a combination of pills for anxiety about a year post injury. I tried therapy, hypnotic therapy, acupuncture, pretty much any way to get the help I needed with out starting medication. I stopped drinking caffeine and alcohol, I started to exercise more, and it seemed to help but not solve my problem.

After my accident I was doing fine, even a year later I was still feeling OK. It was about the 14 month mark that things went south on me.

I know I am not alone but I also know this is a rough and sticky topic for some! If you want to share please do!

Talking with the friends I have local they all share with me there history of how things went for them and where they are today. All the my friends are guys and I was told by them that they thought women seemed to have a rougher time dealing with the emotional aspects of the injury. I think they are full of Sh@t, so tell me if I am wrong!

Cheers!

[nomis]

I don't think you're wrong, sit2much. Not in my experience.

Once you've seen a doctor you're in his/her hands so follow the medical advice and take your pills. That's the deal so stick to it.

I confess I'm naturally suspicious when doctors dish out drugs for anxiety - I feel they often do it cos it's easy and they usually don't have the skills or time to help you sort through your issues. For me, I'd prefer to struggle through my issues till I sorted it out.

Typically, around 14 months would be the time when you have experienced enough of a spinal injury to burst any pretty fantasies you may have had about it (being a SCI hero and all that), the early novelty is over and you can see it more realistically for what it is. And you can see you're going to have to work at life, putting yourself out there, to make a success of being in the world.

I see your anxiety as a normal, healthy reaction to that fearful thought that you face the world on your own with an SCI. I reckon that's a big deal and worth some anxiety.

The way through it is to acknowledge the anxiety, see your fear, look at your situation, pick out your five biggest hurdles and decide how you're going to solve them and in what order. Eventually, you'll realise you need to get started and from there on you're too busy to get anxious about it. Magic.

Oh yeah, and tell yourself it's ok to fail cos you can always try again. Failure is only your way of doing things your way.

Or, you could just laugh yourself silly at my post. That's very relaxing, too.

[maggiec]

I refused anti-depression drugs for over a year after my accident but then gave in! i am now over 2 yrs down the line and take a pill every evening. Helps me sleep BUT anxiety never goes away. I try to get on with my life (which is what everyone seems to expect). I go out to work most days and my employer has been very supportive. I am FEMALE and 57 yrs old who has been extremely independent all her life, so falling of my mountain bike and severring my spinal chord (T3) came as a major life changing experience. maggie

[wriggley]

I found cognative behavioural therapy (CBT) good for anxiety. My problem is major episodes of cyclic clinical depression. There have been studies that linked an onset or increase post head injury. The other thing is if your not sleeping properly that majorly effects how you feel but again 80% of people with a head injury report having a crappy time sleeping whether it be getting to or staying asleep.

Even though it sounds like nonsense i try to meditate for 10 minutes in the evening and i find it very calming. sitting staring into a candle flame really empties your mind (as long as your problem isnt a fire phobia hehehe)

[Slowlegs]

Hi
I was on a drug called imipramine for the year I was in hospital and a couple of years after I got out. It got the nerve regrowth pains under control. Since then I have been on a few different anti depressants which started at around the 18 year anniversary mark but centred around relationship issues, not my injury. The injury contributed to the relationship issues though. I have since learnt the symptoms of what to look for when I start getting depressed so I can actively take steps to avoid it. I also try to achieve a better work-life balance which really helps.

[sits2much]

Thank you all for your replies and telling me your storyies and giving me advice. Nomis you are correct, I find that when I am busy it helps. I have to work out a regular schedule and make goals I can stay on track to finish. I always get motivated and get energy and go out and keep strong for a few weeks then I kinda crash and am just plain exhuasted. Wriggley I love CBT and use to take the concepts behind it to help me be a succesful boss. I honestly have not used any of its practices since my accident.

So thank you all for your responses, it helps get your mind thinking and also helps bring things into perspective.

Cheers!