Depression

[treetate]

Kevin has been at the rehab centre for 5 days now but seems to becoming more and more depressed. Me visiting seems to unsettle him as he knows he is in there and then I leave him. Yesterday he became quite aggressive and picked up a knife which of course concerned the staff. I have been advised by friends to leave him for a couple of days and not visit him to give him time to adjust to his new surroundings and hopefully allow him to integrate with the other people at the unit. I am so torn but don’t want to jeopardise his place there by unsettling him and upsetting him again when I leave.

I know that depression is a side effect but I just want to do what’s best for him.

Thanks z

[Hidden]

Ask to speak to his doctor and get his advice. I am sure they have seen this before.

[Kirk5w7]

Hi, I was put on a low dose antidepressant whilst still I the hospital, my family had spoken with the doctors over this and because of my previous bouts of depression they pre-empted a bout following my illness.

I continued taking tha for 3 years afterwards and I’m sure it helped me cope with the new me.

I no longer take it and am fine mentally now.

It’s worth a chat with the doctor.

Janet x

[cat3]

Hi Treetate. I agree with Jan and Janet that you should make an urgent appointment with Kevin's consultant and ask about antidepressants.

I know that many people are against the idea of meds for moods, but there's a dual problem here with both mood and with brain injury. And antidepressants have been proven to help the recovery process in brain injuries, apart from easing troubled minds.

I do think Kevin needs more time to focus on staff and surroundings to identify with his new situation. It will be upsetting having to limit your visits, but I think he will settle easier (for now) without too many reminders & of home and all its associations.

It's such a painfully slow process isn't it .......

Try to take each day separately because changes are so slight and real progress is only evident when looking back over months, perhaps years.

Take care of yourself m'love and keep talking to us. Cat xx

[treetate in reply to cat3]

Thank you cat, I always appreciate your response. I feel so guilty not going but do think not going everyday will ease his anxiousness! Thanks again xx

[1949liz]

Hi I totally agree with everything people are saying to you. Speak to the doctors before you visit and take their advice. Regards Liz x