Depression is hitting me hard now, 9 months post, so much trauma

[Sunny308]

Anyone relate

[IRHONDA]

yes im seeing a therapist and the BEST thing to do is remember to BREATHE sounds silly funny but it works, I get anxious and in a mess over just being 5 mins late for an appointment as ive always been a person that is on time, I get depressed and anxious, go onto YOUTUBE, and look up TAPPING, DAISY POND, AND THE BEST METHODS FOR BREATHEING … my therapist brought me down from being a complete mess in seconds with all these things goodluck <3

[Jonad724]

I'm 17 years post near fatal VM so hopefully I can offer an insight on what you're experiencing. Recovery for me was like following the grieving process, grieving for the life I had before followed by anger as to what it had done for me. Depression following meningitis is very common and you are not alone nor is it a failure or weakness.

I wrote a number of blog posts about my experience of recovering from VM which if you want to have a look at are here: healthunlocked.com/user/jon....

I was very depressed after the attack of VM, I just wanted to get back to 'normal' but it took me a while to realise that normal is a fluid thing and what was normal before is not what normal is for me post VM. There is light at the end of the tunnel but it may take time, in the meantime if the depression continues please do see your GP, medication these days for depression is really good and followed up with therapy (cognitive behavioural for me) helps get over the trauma and helps adapt to what normal means each day at a time.

Hang in there, Jonathan

[Rowi in reply to Jonad724]

The link to your blog post doesn't work. Could you repost it please, Jonathan?

[Jonad724 in reply to Rowi]

Sorry, that's my profile page which of course only I can see, try clicking on my profile and then click on 'posts' and they should be there.

[Wigmore]

Hi Sunny

I caught meningococcal septicaemia in Nov 17. I was in a coma for many weeks, had a heart attack which took them 10 minutes to revive me, damaged my kidneys and finally resulted in having both my legs amputated. My whole world collapsed around me. For a while I lost my independence, my home and all the things in life I enjoyed doing. The only thing I could control was when I went back to work. So I did 4 months later. BIG mistake. Like you the depression really kicked in 10 months later and I was signed off work. The anger and despair and in all honesty resentment really set it. 8 months later and I am just completing my phased return to work. I had counselling where I was able to really acknowledge how I felt without feeling guilty or a let down. How do you tell people who love you that there have been days when you wished the hospital hadn’t revived you, that you hadn’t survived? That you felt your life was over and that you were merely surviving not living? I undertook the Control System and

slowly began seeing life now as my new normal. And eventually along with that I can now see a journey forward. It still isn’t easy but it’s so much better and I feel positive once again. I would so recommend talking to a totally impartial person or counsellor where you can be totally free to express what you are feeling. I know I am still grieving for my legs-I loved my feet and really miss them lol. And I know everyone says it, I use to pooh hoo them all the time, but for me with taking the time I needed it does get more manageable. Things taken longer and you have to adapt but it’s finally worth it. Good luck 😊

[Sunny308 in reply to Wigmore]

Thank you for replying, and I am so glad you are doing much better than before. Thank you for sharing your story ♡