So many people are wrapped up in thier own little worlds, and many are afraid to step out of comfort zones.

Wade has went through periods of depression where he asked why he wasnt allowed to die. but right now he is in a good place, we hope he continues to progress .
donot get discouraged

I have the opposite problem Elanie...people think I'm depressed...I'm not. Just don't have the animation in my face as I used to. I think it relates the same...it was changed that is the point they don't get.

I have days when I know if I don't do something about it I'll get depressed. I don't take medication for it because for the most part I'm okay.

You are right, people don't understand. Most of our caregivers do understand because it was explained to them well from a medical team or they've done their own research. Thank God for them!!

It's obvious they would blame it on life. It's how they understand...life changed for all of us when we were injured. In actuality that is when I was most depressed. In the beginning...before I found ways to help myself heal. I could've told you then why...I couldn't laugh. Funny...laughter releases endorphins...the natural feel good medicine. I needed it as much as I needed the sunshine and both were taken from me.

What ever the cause...there are ways to help make it better. Not just for BI folks but...I'm sure our caregivers as well.

If there is anything I can do please let me know.

Yep, Sporty, I remember you and another gal on here have not suffered depression, but Docs like to think you have depression.

There's a fairly high rate of depression for people who've suffered a TBI, so I can see how Docs automatically assume everyone has it.

I don't feel like people are sympathetic, if they have never experienced a brain injury. How can they be?

Witnessing something, is nowhere near the same as experiencing it.

I do feel the same as you about the chemicals, but the life I now lead is totally different from the life I led before. For me, I am both chemically altered and my life has been altered beyond recognition. I lead a new life now! :(

But, I have a handle on this new life now. :) It just took me awhile to get a grip!!

I understand what you mean.

My TBI was caused my a car wreck. In addition to the TBI I also suffered from PTSD. I did have to take anti depression meds for my PTSD due to a chemical imbalance from my TBI. Of course my family decided I was depressed and crazy because of the meds and my PTSD. It can be complicated...

People are not understanding because they do not understand. They are scared to talk about this kind of stuff. Interestingly enough...you would be amazed how many people are taking anti depression meds and choose to hide it...or they cannot bring themselves to talk about it. I found that the more I talk about my issues the more I am able to heal.

So true Rae! Talking is good medicine!!

From the point of a caregiver, Bless You All!!!

I am more like sporty, I am not chemically depressed, but my family keeps harping at me about depression, thinking I need help. I have had bouts since the accident . . . but have been assured by my therapist that there have been large issues in my life that would dip any healthy normal non brain injured person into a depression. Things like fightingt home foreclosure, loosing a job, being underemployed . . . are hard for anyone. But my family thinks a happy pill will help me . . .

My new roommate and one of my only surviving friends from Pre TBI life has been struggling wtih severe chemical depression. We talk a lot. And I think it is good for us. She can see things that I feel, and I can understand her. And I am learning a lot about chemical depression. We may have different things going on, but have found sympathy in the other.

I feel your frustration. I think depression is something you cannot fathom untl you experience it . . . I think there are a combination of other TBI side effects that make understanding chemical depression easier, relatable. Problems with motivation, initiation, severe fatigue. . . I might not be chemically depressed, but I get the whole concept.

So glad you brought this up, this is the toughest for me. A lot of depression I have is due to the fact that I couldn't understand why I couldn't count or prepare meals and a host of other things. Cooking was fun, I literally burn water if I haven't trained my self to sit still til it's done. No rollerblading and driving I was in hell. I gained a good 60lbs not being able to do the things I use to, I'm trying to work around this.

I've learned when the depressions comes on pop in a comedy, American Funniest Videos does it sometimes. If I don't catch it, I'm in the mud for a day or two but I get up eventually. I say to myself, "Why am I depressed, again?" can't remember the reason, then I'm up and going. I stopped meds bcz it just comes and then it passes, so I tell people and my therapist, its not a jump off a curb moment ok. I literally have gone to the curb jumped off and realized hey that didn't resolve anything soooooo, go lie down.

Timetoheal- I totally get what you are saying!

It's so nice to have people to interact with in this group that understand so well!!
Thank you to all of my friends and aquaintences. :)

Not many friends or relative understand how after a number of years these periods of depression have not gone away. I've tried every pill, exercise, therepy and experimental drug out there. Sometimes I just wish there was one way that would work to make it just go away and put me back the way I was.

I've come to accept this (as much as I can), I just wish everyone else around me would.

I got sever depression when I had my injury, I mean severe. I had to have two rounds of Electro Cunvulsive Therapy (shock treatment) for which you have to be hospitalized for them. The two rounds were a year apart. They were eleven each round. It was hard on my brain but better than the alternative. Both the injury and the ECT's were hard on my brain. My personality is different,, and I still get depressed and it's usually when others that I love and care about don't understand and can be pretty cruel. One is my mother. We have always been extremely close, but she would tell me my family needed me and that I need to think of them. Then she just stepped in and took over and acted like it was a competition. We didn't talk for almost a year, and she lives less than a mile away. I am just tired of being judged because my brain does not work. If you could see that the people in a mental ward are pretty much just like you and I, it would scare you to death, because if it could happen to them, it could happen to you. I am no longer afraid of that. carla