Sustaining a brain injury is something that can affect you for the rest of your life. Even after receiving treatment, there is a possibility that you will live with lingering effects or lasting symptoms such as depression for many years to come.
Experts explain that a traumatic brain injury can lead to depression either due to physical changes in the brain, an emotional response to the injury or a predisposition toward depression. Regardless of the root cause, there are options available to help you treat or cope with depression following a TBI.
1. Counseling and psychotherapy
In many cases, living a fulfilling life with depression is a matter of adapting to a new way of behaving or perceiving the world and oneself. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help facilitate this process and guide your experience toward coping, while other forms of therapy might also focus on improving your mood through activity.
2. Prescribed medication
Antidepressant medication can reduce the symptoms of depression by rebalancing the chemicals in the brain. Finding the right medication plan can be a lengthy process and one that you should cooperate with your doctor toward completing.
3. Seeking support
It is important to remember that depression is not a sign of weakness nor something you can expect to just “get over.” Speaking about the issue with friends, family members or like-minded groups with similar backgrounds to your own can be the best way to come to terms with your situation and find a productive solution.
Finding a lifestyle that brings you joy while learning to cope with depression is a unique and personal journey. Deciding where to start is the first step you can take after sustaining a traumatic brain injury.