Self help tips for depression

[Hetty56]

My son is just over a year in from his TBI and physically doing really well - all the remaining problems disappearing gradually. The only issue he has left is the depression. The meds do work and recently he’s had an amazing few weeks but once again he’s dipped - it’s almost as if the meds have stopped being as effective. He’s going to contact his psychologist again hopefully but I’m looking for tips on any little things he can do to help his own recovery. He’s exercising, socialising and working full time so he’s doing all the right things. I’m just looking for ideas on the little things he can do to push himself along. Any ideas would be welcome - foods to eat, things to do etc? Also for those who’ve used counselling as part of the cure how effective was it?

[cat3]

Your post is similar to Teynboy's Hetty in that both he and your son are active and 'pushing' themselves. One year isn't a long period of recovery for brain injury and pushing too hard can cause set backs. Could there be a degree of anti-climax for Sam ? It can be dispiriting at the 1 or 2 year milestone when our energy levels and achievements don't match our expectations. But by exceeding our new limitations, to compensate, we all too often go into meltdown !

Maybe Sam's psychologist could adjust the dosage of his medication or offer an alternative and perhaps his GP could do some blood tests to check for deficiencies. Medication has been a lifesaver for me but it has its limitations when brain injury is involved, and it can't compete with neuro fatigue.

Do you have the Headway printouts explaining the facts and long term effects of TBI ? If not, you can either download them or phone the helpline to receive copies through the post :- 0808 800 2244 (free calls / office hours)

I keep to a healthy diet (mostly), take regular exercise, multivitamins and cod liver oil daily and try to get at least 8 hour's sleep nightly. Of course there are a whole range of herbal/holistic preparations out there, the list of which makes my head spin !

I do hope Sam's low mood can be addressed soon but, in the meantime, talking is a great therapy together with the healthy lifestyle. Best wishes to him Hetty and for better days ahead for you both. Cat x

[Hetty56 in reply to cat3]

Thank you for your comments Cat - I saw Teynboy’s post just after I’d written mine and it was really interesting to read.

You could well be right about it being an anticlimax. Sams been seeing more signs of recovery, went on a holiday with a friend and had a great few weeks. Then he went back to work and it’s the same old same old and when he experienced a bit of a dip (which in reality is to be expected) it was a shock. We both need to remember that as you said it’s only been a year and we know that’s not a long period of time for TBIs.

A lot of what you said has given me food for tonight and ideas to follow through. Thank you

Xx

[Phoenix68]

I do agree with Cat3 in that 1 year is not long for BI recovery, however ithe anticlimax kicks in. My daughter also seems quite low and it’s coming to terms with the fact that her life is different even if like Sam she is active and going to Uni but there are so many things that are different for her. CBT certainly has helped her, she also takes high levels of Omega 3, MCT oil, B12, D3 and Magnesium.

My very best wishes to you and happy Mothers’ Day 😊

[TaIaV]

Since you ask about self-help, here is a suggestion: There is a book that is written by a noted cognitive Psychologist at Stanford that gets very good reviews and even some positive formal test results. It is "Feeling Good" by Dr David D. Burns. The techniques in that book may help your son.

Best of luck to all of you-- I know it affects the whole family!

[Hetty56 in reply to TaIaV]

Thank you. I’m definitely going to look into getting a copy of that xx

[Hetty56 in reply to TaIaV]

Quick update. I’ve just read about this book - if it does what it says it could be a valuable resource. I’ve ordered a copy from Amazon c

[TaIaV]

Excellent! So happy to hear that you think it might help. FYI, you may have seen that he did a follow up book for couples. I have not read it. I don't know if your son has a partner, but that might be helpful as well.

All the best,

Taia