Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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Depression and Concussions

SereneNature
SereneNature
During my hospital stay in February, the subsequent intake that was done, and my conversations with the pDocs I learned from them that over the past few years the scientific community that concussions and other brain trauma can lead to physical and mental damage.

This information was brought about as I shared my medical background. I suffered a severe concussion when I was in third grade, and possible further damage when my alcoholic brother-in-law slammed my head into a wall when I was between the ages of 10 to 12. I was also in a car accident a few years ago.

While I will never know for sure I can't help but wonder if there is a causal link between my ongoing depression and the concussions, especially when I look back to when my depression first became apparent to me. I was in my pre-teens and remember seeking out our family doctor at the time because I was having suicidal thoughts. That was 40+ years ago and I feel like I've been on a merry-go-round with this illness since then.

I wonder now if despite the fact that I've been told that I have amazing insight into my illness, and 'do all the things I am supposed to be doing' with respect to medication and therapy if this is related.

Sorry, I'm loosing my train of thought and I am babbling.

Has anyone else had concussive episodes, and did your health care professional suggest it could have a casual effect with your depression?
Community LeaderWanderingVet
WanderingVet
>>concussions and other brain trauma can lead to physical and mental damage.


Absolutely true. Keyword ... CAN
SereneNature
SereneNature
Which is what I said in my original post, Wandering Vet ... that it can ... however, I do sometimes wonder
dancingsunflowers80
dancingsunflowers80
Sorry I haven't been in your shoes, just depression. Have you talked to your doc or therapist about this? Hope you find some answers soon.

mommato2lilmonkeys
Rruussnn
Rruussnn
You sound very clear in what you wrote and were not babbling. Anyway, YES, there CAN be a connection between repeated concussions and mental health problems. This has been in the news a lot over the past few years, esp. In connection with professional football players.
charger67
charger67
yes, we have been through similar things, my hubby did something really weird back in 2010, and after a lot of searching, we realized he had 3 small knocks to the head, and then we put together all his history of injury and accident, and realized he probably has post concussion syndrome, multiple hits, over years, and suddenly 3 more in succession, and then all the symptoms have just stayed. Depression, mood swings, headaches, anger, phono & photo phobia, confusion, memory loss, attention deficit, seizures (but not epileptic kind), all kinds of symptoms, and they all seem to relate to all those head injuries. depression also stems from what he realizes he has lost, the career he was fired from, the abilities he used to have, the physical condition he used to be in, and there's the anger, and the frustration, and the constant fatigue, it all adds up, and it all relates to brain injury, I'm exhausted, and I'm only the spouse, I can't imagine what he's feeling.
BCat1000
BCat1000
I was just diagnosed with something similar but it was related to a problem with my pituitary glad not producing hormones correctly. The hormone imbalance caused depression symptoms and anxiety. I am 41 and I'm on hormone replacement. Please look at that as an option as well. Have your thyroid and hormones checked. The endocrinologist said the problem could be related to repetitive blows due to football. Also said a single hard head hit could cause it.
beatingtheblues2
beatingtheblues2
I actually had a concussion when I was about 9 months old (trying to escape from my crib -- didn't quite work the way my infant mind had it planned, I guess...). I wonder if that contributed to my later depression, though I know some emotional factors definitely have contributed to it.
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