My husband had Encephalitis 16 year's ago, and is prone to very dark mood's. I am having difficulty coping with these mood's but can't get any medical professionals to understand.
Can anyone help me with this?
Dark Moods: My husband had Encephalitis... - Encephalitis Inte...
Dark Moods
Written by
BuckFrobisher
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8 Replies
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Hello Buck. Depression is a very common side effect of encephalitis. My husband struggles with his moods too. They way I deal with it is to see it as a dog that always follows him. Most of the time it’s a small Jack Russell that he can easily control and deal with but some times it grows. It grows bigger and bigger - into a Grand Danois - and ends up sitting on his chest almost suffocated him. My job is just to be patient and take them both for walks and not demand or expect anything. Eventually the dog shrinks and becomes the little playful Jack Russell again. Remember it’s not your husband talking. It’s the dog.
I would recommend a support group. Does your council have a notice board somewhere. It really helps talking to them ther that care for people with d repression.
Thank you for replying to me.
I'd love to be positive and say yes we have lots of support - but we don't have any. The Council ended our 'support' as they asked us to make a financial contribution to my Husbands care that we couldn't afford. I have reached out to Darryl's medical team - but no help or support has been forthcoming there either.
It doesn't help that I have been recently diagnosed with Autism, and we could really do with help supporting one another.
If the dark moods becomes dangerously low and suicidal I really recommend The Listening Place. It's a suicide prevention charity with talking therapy. My partner went for over a year and it helped him. Big hug
Hi BuckFrobisher.
It must be so hard, but you are definitely not alone with this problem.
Are you aware of the encephalitis online support group meetings ?
And there’s one specifically for family carers which might be perfect for you. The next meeting for carers is on Wednesday 21st June, 6-7.30pm UK time .
This link gives more details for how to join the meeting :
encephalitis.info/blog/virt...
Definitely keep in touch with this online group on here, too . We are all here for you if you need a friend .
You can also speak directly to one of the charity’s advisors for 1-1 support . They are always willing to listen and help .
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Thank you HSE_Survivor, I really do appreciate your support and kindness. I'll have a talk with my husband, as I think that speaking to other Encephalitis survivors may help him.
I’m sorry to hear of this. I suffer from autoimmune encephalitis, when my dark moods come on I take a medication called Halidol, it’s for phycosis, and let me tell you it’s a game changer. I treat my wife bad and am mean when my dark moods/phycosis hits. So this new med for me is wonderful, it’s very helpful for my wife as well so she doesn’t have to go through unnecessary treatmeant. I also do support group meetings via zoom on the A.E. Alliance website, and the support from others that we can share about our common suffering and what helps is a wonderful tool. My wife and I do a couples zoom meeting on the A.E Alliance page, it’s ran by Ed and Nancy, I highly recommend both the meds and the support group. We need each other, not many understand what we go through. I am so sorry your husband has this and now you are dealing with Autism. But, even as challenging as these diseases are, it’s important we stay focused on what we still have and are able to do. I thank God I’m not dead, although there is some times I wish I was because it can get so bad. Without proper meds, it’s a nightmare. It’s still a nightmare with meds, but a manageable one. I pray this helps. Have a blessed day.
Hi Buck, depression can have a range of causes and solutions. Try medication and counselling and also getting him to enjoy a few of his favourite things. Life with Enc can be pretty grim for the sufferer and those close to him. You should be able to be assigned a Social Worker who will organise the particular support your husband needs. You don't give many details, age, local Council his likes and dislikes, symptoms etc. After three years I'm still recovering from Enc, seizures and memory loss. Exercise, rest and good diet are essntial but motivation is key.
Good morning Buckfrobisher
So sorry to read your words , but unfortunately it’s a very common occurrence after having Encephalitis and the subsequent after effects. My own ways to cope with ‘ups n downs’ is not to over do it , I don’t stop always taxing my brain , give it time to rest or by sure it WILL tell you!
Also over thinking, a damaged brain is a whole different ball game it wizzes around like a small happy dog then zap it closes down it needs rest and quite other wise it gets that down feeling which I can tell you is not nice ,
I’ve said this many times on here before but drinking water, eating properly and having fresh fruits is a must , if he’s feeling down eat red fruits believe me it helps massively. Finally chocolate coffee alcohol bring on ups and downs just a thought!
Wishing you well and my best regards
