Brain Injuries and Depression

Depression is a scary thing when it happens - for both the person suffering from it and also for his/her family members. The dictionary states that depression is the condition of being gloomy or sad. In my experience, my partner's depression went far beyond this explanation.

The symptoms of depression were extreme anger, frustration, irritability, hostility, and being critical and uncommunicative. He had no interest either in any of his former activities. He also made a decision during the time when he was angry that he was going to sell the house and go to Mexico.

Other symptoms can include less energy, a feeling of being slowed down, restlessness, low self-esteem, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, increased weight or loss of weight, increased appetite or loss of appetite, sleeping too much or other sleep problems. However, fatigue is a common symptom of brain injury, not only when associated with depression. There can also be thoughts of suicide in severe cases of depression.

Depression can be brought about by a biochemical imbalance of serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine; a distressing life event; trauma or genetics. People who have low-self-esteem, negative outlooks, physical or health conditions or other psychological disorders are also at risk.

This condition can easily be treated by medication and/or psychological counseling and support from friends, family and self-help groups. Changes won't happen overnight although my partner did claim to feel better more quickly than I expected. In most cases medication can take a few weeks to begin working. In the case of clinical depression, it will likely need to be managed over a person's lifetime.

Depression will affect not only the sufferer but his family as well and can put huge stress on the partner. It is important that family members be patient and non-judgmental and that they listen and offer their support.

My partner was diagnosed with depression several months following his serious motorcycle accident. Besides his brain injury, he suffered other injuries which included broken shoulders, a broken collar bone, his left hand and two badly broken legs. All of the ribs on his left side were also broken, puncturing his lung in the process.

We were told that it was very common for someone to have depression brought about because of a chemical imbalance following so many physical injuries combined with the traumatic brain injury. They expected that he would be on the medication for approximately six months and then it would be gradually reduced and eventually would be tapered off until he no longer needed it. However, when it was initially reduced, there was an almost immediate reversal back to his behavior and mood difficulties, pre-medication. And at over two years since beginning the medication, it is still necessary to continue with it.