I found myself in tears earlier, literally just bawling thinking and hoping that my future is going to turn out better than me being some guy stuck on pills to help with anxiety for the rest of my life.

I mean i know there is therapy for these kinds of things, but i really dont have the money for any of these things. I'm 18 and currently living with my parents and i thank god for having such great parents but they really have a tight budget.

I feel so useless not being able to do anything to help but simple tasks around the house like cleaning, laundry, and dishes. And the fact that i feel horrible most of the time makes simple tasks such as these hard to do. Is there something i can do maybe possibly get on welfare or anything to help my parents out, and help me get the help i need?

Anxiety really has been kickin me in the butt lately, the past couple of days i have felt so on edge and worried about things that shouldn't be worried about. But its so hard to break that train of thought..

This is actually also the first time i have been so depressed to that it brought me to tears for a good 20 minutes. Right now im really just trying to think of the better things in life than to worry.

All advice is deeply appreciated and welcomed, i just really dont know what to do..Im to young for this crap to be already happening to me, i know im not alone in this matter and i feel for those who suffer/suffered through the same thing, it really is just awful.

I had TERRIBLE anxiety and depression after my injury. Part of it I think is normal grieving process and being worried about what is going to happen to all your life plans. Part of it is wacky biochemistry from the brain injury.

I had mild depression that was well-managed before the concussion. It got seriously out of control afterwards. It is really really awful and can be downright scary, especially if you are having self-harming thoughts. If you DO have these type of thoughts and think you might act on them, please call 911 right away or go to the emergency room.

I can't remember how long ago your injury was or what meds (if any) you have for depression and anxiety?

There are some natural self-care things you can do at home to help alleviate it as well as medical stuff like meds and therapy.

Here are some natural things you can do to strengthen the brain. They should help alleviate depression & anxiety as well as some of your PCS symptoms:

- Eat a whole foods (clean eating) diet high in omega-3s and tryptophan. Take 3 tbsp of ground flax seed in juice every morning for a complete daily dose of both and then whatever you eat during the day is bonus.

- Be sure to stay well hydrated. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily (i.e. if you weigh 100lbs, drink 50 oz. of water).

- There are also hot and cold water treatments you can do to increase circulation to the brain. In the shower, alternate 3 minutes of hot water with 1 minute of cold for at least 3 cycles. Always end on cold.The greater the temperature contrast, the greater the benefit (just be sure not to scald yourself). Don't get the very hot water on your head, but do get it on your shoulders. Cold water is okay to get on your head.

- Sunlight through the skin is good for vitamin D and through the eyes is good for melatonin (sleeping at night).

- Listening to baroque music (such as Bach) can help strengthen frontal lobe function (provided it does not increase symptoms).

- Exercise (even light exercise such as walking) can reduce harmful biochemicals and release endorphins. Again, be sure you are keeping it gentle enough to avoid symptoms. If you are in the middle of an anxiety attack, exercise can help stop it.

- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and other non-prescribed drugs.

- Avoid or strictly limit television, video games, smart phone, and computer usage.

- Get fresh air daily and take 10-20 minutes specifically to do deep diaphragmatic breathing.

- Try to have regular times for sleeping and waking.

- Connect with spiritual practice, even something as small as making a list of 3-5 things you are grateful for.

- Relabel your depressive and anxious thoughts as not coming from yourself: "That's not me; that's my depression talking." or "That's not me; that's my anxiety talking." Then you can argue with the thoughts a little easier and see whether or not they are rational. Remember that DEPRESSION LIES! You can get more free info on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy here: http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/website.htm which will help you learn to argue with your irrational thoughts.

These things will strengthen the brain naturally and shouldn't interfere with any medications or treatments your doctors want to use.

Keep in touch. I know it can feel truly terrible to go through this. We are all here for you!!

my injury happened march 2nd of this year, and i was diagnosed with PCS on march 15th. I havent taken anything for depression and anxiety yet, the doctor that claims i have ONLY anxiety and nothing else prescribed anxiety meds a couple days ago though.

I have yet to pick them up and have no idea of what the name of it is yet, but im picking them up today and i'll let you know what it is.

Thank for you for the natural self care list (= i will definitely try doing as much as possible on that list.


Sorry to hear you suffered pretty bad =/ im glad that you're doing much much better, Eowyn.

I had an unusually bad bout with Depression and Anxiety just yesterday, as a coincidence. Today, nothing.

I'm not on any specific meds for the mental issues at this time. The pain meds I do take also help the emotional stuff, fortunately, but mainly coping is about attitude. I always tell people to aim for the center: don't let the lows get too low, don't let the highs go too high.

The lows are obvious, but why restrain the highs? If you're finally feeling good after all this pain, aren't you entitled to some unbridled positives? Well, I've found emotions don't work that way. It's more like a pendulum, swinging naturally between positive and negative. Swing too far in either direction, and you have to deal with the equal-but-opposite reaction on the other side.

Hope my experience helps you some how.
Kenjhee

Alright, i have picked up what the doctor prescribed me and by the looks of it this is something i REALLY dont know if i wanna take...considering the side effects.

She prescribed Citalopram, Does anyone think this is something i should not take? Some of the side effects look really scary...

I have been on that for the past several months. I didn't have any bad side effects from it other than perhaps feeling a little tired. It did help the depression some, but you can't go up to a very high dose because of the new heart thing.... so if it doesn't help at a low dose, you'll probably have to switch anyway.

what would you consider a low dose? Right now she prescribed 20mg per day. I'm really trying to build up the nerve to take this lol once i looked up the side effects i've been really reluctant to take it.

I dont mind some of the side effects, but hallucinations just doesn't appeal to me lol, nor does suicidal thoughts o.O

Yeah, 20 mg is a low dose. The highest they can go up to now is 40 mg because of the heart issues.

Those are both pretty rare side effects. The result of feeling more calm is much more likely and could help you a lot.

The suicidal thoughts usually only happen on starting meds to people who have been so depressed they can't move. Then when they start taking an anti-depressant, suddenly they get motivation to do something.... like kill themselves.

If you haven't had any before, and you're reasonably functional, you'll *probably* be okay. If you DO have any, just be sure to tell yourself "that's not real, that's my depression talking," and call 911 or go to the ER if you think you might actually hurt yourself.

And, of course, if you DO have either of these side effects, you can stop taking the meds right away and contact your doctor to get a different medication.

grr i just cant bring myself to take it, idk why..part of me says just take it, you'll be fine. Another part of me says dont take it, something bad might happen. Of course i'll never know till i try..but still

That would be your anxiety talking