Although depression effects people in different ways and not all people that deal with this go through it but for this brain aneurysm survivor it's been beyond difficult. Aneurysms and the treatments can impact mental health. I went to therapy early. The first one said if things don’t get better in a year come back. He didn't handle things right at the time but evidently depression is common for some for the first year. His information was correct for me because things did start getting easier as time passed.
Depression caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm is an often overlooked yet life-altering physical and mental health issue. Brain aneurysms are balloon-like bulges in the blood vessels of the brain that can burst and cause disruptive and sometimes life-threatening hemorrhages. After these potentially fatal ruptures, survivors may need to transition through a long period of recovery and rehabilitation, often leading to severe depression. This depression can significantly reduce quality of life as it takes a toll on physical, social, and mental health of the sufferer.
As the National institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes, symptoms of depression range from persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” moods to loss of interest in activities and negative thoughts about oneself. Though pain is a common result of brain aneurysm treatment, there are psychological factors that may explain why brain aneurysm survivors experience depression. The experience of a brain aneurysm rupture may trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For survivors, this can manifest with flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares that serve as reminders of the traumatic event.
In some cases, these reminders can snowball and lead to avoidance particularly of situations that remind the person of the rupture or of acting impulsively without consideration of the consequences. Similarly, ongoing fear of the aneurysm rupturing again or the possibility of having further strokes can heighten these symptoms. Additionally, survivors may suffer from insight deficits, or lack of awareness of changes in their behaviors and thoughts. This lack of guidance and reflection generally leads to poorer outcomes and symptoms of depression. It is also important to note that patients with greater insight deficits have greater difficulty with social functioning as well as difficulty in continuing with self-care.
For persons in recovery from a ruptured aneurysm, social support and an increase in physical activity may help reduce the risk of depression. Family and friends can play an important role in providing support, especially for new activities or routines. Mental health professionals may also provide effective treatments such as psychological therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or medication that can decrease depressive symptoms.
Why is it that noone really went over the affects of a burst aneurysms on general mental health? The extreme anxiety and depression are not understood. It's very difficult to lose control over one's emotions. I wasn't like this before my aneurysm burst. I've been angry, frustrated, and taking out my emotion on myself and others. Tears come out of nowhere. So confused because I can't live the way I did before yet I don't know how I'm supposed to live now. I have no idea what is emotionally happening to me. Things get better over time but it still isn't easy. I think all of us going through this should get counseling.
Depression is not simply a passing mood swing. The sadness most likely doesn’t go away. It affects your body, mood, and thoughts. It controls your appetite and sleep. It causes your feelings about yourself and others to change. How you think about life is difficult.
My advice is to not try to figure this out on your own. There’s really helpful groups online for support. Do whatever you can to keep yourself up or at least to get through the day. Just know that someday you will get better.