[dagma1]

Hello,

Not posted in a while as I went in to such a severe depression I couldn't function (suffered a concussion from a car accident in late March of this year)

I went from feeling "down" to depressed to feeling suicidal for 2 months, finally went out of the house in sheer desperation to see my Dr. who wanted to put me in the hospital (didn't want to go) and who increased my Anti-depressant which has started to work.

I have suffered from major depression for years, was on Wellbutrin which was a miracle for me and was stable for 4 years until the concussion.

Would like to know what others feel about suffering a suicidal depression (didn't end it all because of my children..) after a concussion and with history of pre-existing depression?

I am certain the concussion sent me in to a tail spin but several people don't believe it.

Thanks for any help, this is hell

[Eowyn]

Yes, I had minor depression before the concussion (controlled with a very low dose of anti-depressants) which got MUCH worse afterwards. Like you, I started having serious suicidal thoughts and had to up my anti-depressants significantly. I did end up being hospitalized once before my medications got adjusted properly.

It's not surprising, since depression is a symptom of concussion, that those of us with pre-existing depression are impacted especially hard by this aspect of a head injury.

[MiaVita2012]

Sorry you are having this depression. I have Major Depression and everyday was a struggle of "When"??? I am taking the lowest dose of Pristiq 50mg and now have depression under control for most day's. I had little depression before accident which run's in my family, but I never had to take antidepressants before until after accident. I hope you find some relief soon. I also get Community Acupuncture done weekly only $15!!
I STRONGLY SUGGEST THE COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE TO ALL WITH TBI

[Weyhey]

From having my concussion I have spiralled into major depression and was hospitalised for a while.

What I didn't realise until I got help was that I've been depressed for a good few years although it was mild. I always just thought it was normal to feel the way I did and I was just 'one of those negative people'. My consultant helped me realise that I'd been struggling for a long time and it wasn't normal at all.

In my case, I can definitely say from the concussion my depression is steadily getting worse.

The way the psychiatrist explained it to me was like a set of scales. Most people are pretty balanced in the positive side and the negative side but I was slightly lopsided (more weight on the negative) but still managing to keep both sides off the ground. Then came the concussion and it was as if a massive weight was suddenly dropped into the negative side. The whole scale was knocked off kilter and the positive had no way to try to balance itself out again.

He explained it way better than what I just wrote but hopefully that makes sense!

[Marina22]

I also was extremely depressed to the point where I refused to get out of bed or take a shower or even brush my teeth. My husband had to dress me and wash me although I wasn't physically disabled. I just didn't care. All I wanted back then is to die.

My PCP prescribed celexa - it took me about 3 weeks to get to the no-depression at all stage. It was such a relief for all of my family. Although after my setback I'm starting to feel this familiar depression signs again

Good luck to you! I hope you'll find the right cure for your condition!

[Kenjhee]

Well, I believe it!

My experience was similar, except it was Lexapro that pulled me out of it. Yes, it was about 3 weeks or so for it to start working. I have had zero problems with suicidal depression since then. In fact, I may not even have a problem with depression any more, but I'm afraid to go off the Lexy and go through a three-week wait again.

Incidentally, it was my spiritual system that kept me from actually taking my life. It is against my spiritual beliefs to commit suicide, depression not withstanding. I'm glad I didn't now.

[dagma1]

Thank you all for your replies, sorry haven't answered before today, just so difficult doing anything right now.

I am so, so sorry you are all going through this, it truly is beyond terrible.

I also didn't want to wash/brush my hair, brush my teeth etc, my husband also had to physically help me do it all.

Thoughts of ending it all over took me and how to do it, God forbid surviving or being brought back.
Right now I don't feel that way, those feelings have subsided but I know they are right there in the background, what a struggle.

I could feel the depression getting worse and worse (couldn't make myself go to the doctor) feeling suicidal for 2 months my husband literally dragged me out of the house and she could see how bad my depression was. My husband then told me he was going to call someone to get me in a hospital, he didn't know what to do. (Wouldn't have been very popular but now I know he just wants to help)

The increase of Wellbutrin has brought me up a little.

Thank you again, it does help to know I'm not nuts but sorry that others are going through this,hugs to everyone

[nbentley97]

I have had a history of depression...which really got worse after my husband passed away a year ago. Was finally improving was on Wellbutrin & Adderal (for ADD) but then this past March I had a severe fall...which gave me a fractured nose, wrist, & TBI...the TBI was diagnosed later...due to the fact the ER I went to didn't do a CT scan. Was having memory problems...some speech stuttering & slight gait problem. Then the end of the same month I had a grand mal seizure...with some further oral injury... but this time I was admitted (a different hospital) & throughly checked out. Conclusion was seizure from the TBI & medication. Was taken off the combination of Wellburtrin & Adderal & put on Keppra for seizures & now on Pristiq 50mg & Neurotin for the last 3 months. Not much improvement but psych dictor told me to stay at the dose & hang in there. The Neurontin has been steadly increased for sleep...now up to 900mg at night. I only get dressed when I have to...cleaning house & paying bills is impossible. Dr now wants me to go to psych therapy....so tired of being a mess...any thought on medications... Pristiq & Neurotin ?

[anon1028]

Originally Posted by nbentley97

I have had a history of depression...which really got worse after my husband passed away a year ago. Was finally improving was on Wellbutrin & Adderal (for ADD) but then this past March I had a severe fall...which gave me a fractured nose, wrist, & TBI...the TBI was diagnosed later...due to the fact the ER I went to didn't do a CT scan. Was having memory problems...some speech stuttering & slight gait problem. Then the end of the same month I had a grand mal seizure...with some further oral injury... but this time I was admitted (a different hospital) & throughly checked out. Conclusion was seizure from the TBI & medication. Was taken off the combination of Wellburtrin & Adderal & put on Keppra for seizures & now on Pristiq 50mg & Neurotin for the last 3 months. Not much improvement but psych dictor told me to stay at the dose & hang in there. The Neurontin has been steadly increased for sleep...now up to 900mg at night. I only get dressed when I have to...cleaning house & paying bills is impossible. Dr now wants me to go to psych therapy....so tired of being a mess...any thought on medications... Pristiq & Neurotin ?

DEFINITELY go to psych therapy. The right one can really help. Plus it will get you out of the house once a week. Works for me

Follow doctor's orders but request new meds after six months if the Pristiq (which I've heard very good things about) doesn't start working. I took Cymbalta and it worked for years, I think Pristiq is the new improved Cymbalta. Other people might give different, better advice. You will get more responses, believe me.

I take Neurontin for pain and depression. Don't know if it helps but its cheap and physically quite harmless on the body)

For a month straight I answered the door for my Chinese food covered by a sheet because I didn't feel like dressing. Now, even if I don't leave the house I still get dressed. I've been in the psych ward for depression too. no shame in that if it ever gets that bad. It's kind of boring but better than the alternative, God forbid.

This injury stinks and definitely is harder on people with previous history of depression, like us, but it is not who we are.

And you matter..at least to me. And you will see other people that care answer. Believe me, sometimes these people are all I have, and that is enough at the time.

I might be putting my nose where it doesn't belong, but I think your husband would want you to get as much help as possible and be happy.....

[Hockey]

Yes, your TBI is magnifying your depression.

Despite many life challenges, I absolutely didn't suffer from depression before my MVA. Afterwards...

Yes, now I wrestle with depression. That makes me a real inconvenience for lazy clinicians who just want to attribute PCS to people having "anxious personalities." I think the causes for my post injury depression are twofold.

Firstly, I believe the accident changed my brain chemistry. As I always say to doctors, who don't get it, "I don't have PCS because I'm depressed. I'm depressed because I have PCS."

Secondly, I believe that it is a rational response to my current situation. I've lost my career, I've got chronic pain from spinal cord injuries, my relationships are strained, etc..., etc... If I was happy, then I really would be INSANE. Sadness, in response to genuine conditions, is not a pathology.

That said, it's a problem when it impairs, significantly, ones ability to participate in one's recovery and/or function in daily life.

I believe that the fact that I had no premorbid history of depression has allowed me to manage without medication. I can't imagine what it must be like for those of you trying to cope with this, on top of a preexisting condition. You are brave souls.

I second markneil's assertion that this is nothing to be ashamed of. I don't feel embarrassed because the mva herniated my discs, so why in heck should I feel weak or guilty about the depression it caused?

This stigma, and the meaningless distinction between "physical" and "mental," has got to go. The brain is an organ. Depression is a sign of organ malfunction. We don't tell people that their kidney disease is a product of their imagination and anxiety, we give them dialysis - and sympathy.

This falling back on blaming depression FOR pcs, instead of ON pcs, is a manifestation of doctors' inability to admit, even to themselves, that, at present, they cannot properly understand, let alone, effectively treat, TBI. It says a lot more about them, than it does about us.