The ticking of the clock was deafening. The slightest light is torture as I lay in my hospital bed. I have been here for weeks now, unable to move or speak clearly due to a ruptured brain aneurysm. Everyone tells me I was lucky to be alive but all I could feel is despair and sadness.
I think about my life before. The good times with friends and family. Trips I had taken all over the world and all of the loving moments shared with my boyfriend. Now it felt like none of that mattered. I couldn't talk or move. I couldn’t stay focused. What kind of life was this?
I now think more deeply about death than ever before. How would it feel when I finally let go? Would it be peaceful or terrifying? I felt joy and calmness when I almost died. Somehow I survived. As these thoughts swirl through my mind I know deep down that if something didn’t change then suicide may become an option.
I had a burst aneurysm when I was 45. It happened so suddenly that it left me feeling completely out of control in my own body. I wasn’t even myself anymore. Everyone around me seemed to be able to carry on with their lives as if nothing had happened but for me everything changed.
The doctors were able to save my life but there were still some complications that followed the surgery. My mental health took a huge hit as a result of the trauma and I started struggling with anxiety and depression almost immediately after waking up from the operation.
As time went on things got worse. It felt like everywhere I turned there was something else trying to pull me down into this dark pit. The despair made everyday tasks seem impossible at times.
Being extremely depressed was not how I was before my aneurysm burst. I was angry, frustrated and taking out my emotions on myself and others. Tears would come out of nowhere. Constant confusion because I couldn’t live the way I did before yet I didn’t know how I was going to live after.
Aneurysms and the treatments impacted my mental health. There is an increased number of suicide death and attempts from brain issues. When I had a serious brain aneurysm that left me with some lasting effects, luckily, Veterans Hospital focused on mental health. My Drs. were incredibly supportive and made sure to get me the best care available. After a couple of months of recovery my doctors thought it would be beneficial for me to start seeing a therapist or psychiatrist to help manage my mental health during this difficult time.
So, I went tentatively into the office of the first counselor they sent me. He listened to what I had been through but proceeded to blow off most of what I said. He told me that depression is common after a brain aneurysm and it takes about a year for people to "get over it.” This felt so dismissive and invalidating; like he wasn't taking seriously how much pain and trauma this experience caused me.
I found myself feeling worse than before since now not only did I have this terrifying medical issue but also no one seemed willing or able to provide any real support in dealing with its aftermath.
Eventually, though, things shifted when I started going back out into the world - reconnecting with new friends who got to know the new me without judgement as well as making new connections. They were more understanding and compassionate towards my needs during such a vulnerable period in life. With their help, along with continued therapy sessions I slowly improved.
The other professionals were better equipped at supporting survivors like myself. Eventually things began improving little by little until almost all traces of sadness were better. Just as predicted by that original doctor's timeline! I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have made it if I just listened to him though. It was a difficult struggle.
Things did start getting easier but it was extremely scary. Why is it that we don’t really talk about the affects of burst aneurysms on general mental health? The extreme anxiety and depression are not understood. It’s very difficult to lose control over emotions.
The doctors were able to save my life but there were still some complications that followed the surgery. My mental health took a huge hit as a result of the trauma and I started struggling with anxiety and depression almost immediately after waking up from the operation.
Although it was extremely scary, things did start getting easier as more time passed by. I slowly began accepting what had happened. I still am working through my emotions rather than avoiding them altogether.
What really helped during this difficult period in my life was finding support systems in friends, family members, therapists, who truly understood what kind of experience dealing with an aneurysm can be like. It’s both physical and emotional.
It also made me realize just how important it is for us to talk openly about these kinds of issues because they affect so many people. They are often overlooked or ignored due to stigma associated with discussing mental health disorders. Anxiety and depression are caused by medical conditions like brain aneurysms.
I had no idea what was emotionally happening to me. Things did get better over time but it wasn’t easy. I think all going through this should get counseling. Depression is not simply a passing mood swing.
The sadness doesn’t just 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. Just know that someday you will get better.
Have you ever considered the impact that aneurysms and their treatments can have on mental health? Sadly, there has been an increase in suicide deaths and attempts related to brain issues. Fortunately, seeking therapy can help.
Aneurysms can lead to an array of mental health issues including extreme anxiety and depression. It can feel like a loss of control over emotions and, for many, this is not how they were before their aneurysm burst. The changes can be overwhelming and confusing, causing tears to come out of nowhere.
The frustration of not being able to live the way you did before can lead to anger and outbursts towards themselves and others. It is crucial to understand that aneurysms and their treatments can impact mental health Seeking help is necessary.
One viable treatment for those struggling with mental health impacts is therapy. However, it's essential to find a therapist who understands the unique challenges that come with someone who dealt with an aneurysm. Unfortunately, it can take time and effort to find the right one, but once you do, it can make all the difference. Therapy can help those struggling to process their emotions and experiences post-aneurysm. It can lead to coping mechanisms and a better understanding.
I found self care and mindfulness practices can also help those struggling with aneurysms and mental health impacts. Engaging in activities such as meditation, yoga can help reduce anxiety symptoms and improve overall mental health. It’s essential to prioritize rest and relaxation as much as possible. Exhaustion and stress can exacerbate mental health symptoms.
I remember when the sun had just begun to rise, casting a soft pink hue across the sky. It was a beautiful sight that usually filled me with peace and serenity but today I felt nothing. I had been struggling for months now with what I went through with the aneurysm. It that was quickly taking my mental health, causing me to feel hopeless and lost.
I hadn't left my bed in days and it seemed like nothing would get through to me. But this morning something changed as I watched the sun rise. Something inside of me stirred. Could this be hope? I decided then to take a step forward towards healing and self-care by trying out mindfulness practices.
With newfound determination coursing through my veins, I grabbed some yoga mats from the closet and headed into my living room where I could practice in private. The sound of my favorite band in the room brought me comfort. I went through some basic breathing exercises – inhaling deeply before slowly exhaling all of my worries away until there was only peace surrounding my body.
This became part of my daily routine. Every morning I would take time for myself so that I could find balance within all of life’s chaos. I also added journaling into the mix– writing down how each day made me feel or what thoughts were running through my mind. It helped greatly when it came to dealing with bouts of anxiety or fear associated with having an aneurysm over my head like a dark cloud threatening rain at any moment’s notice .
As weeks turned into months my mental state began improving drastically. This caused even more motivation. I was able to focus on making sure to keep up with self-care activities. All things helped remind me how small I am yet still connected no matter what my differences may be. Eventually the brain aneurysms ceased being such a burden.
At last I found inner peace knowing that despite hardships life can always make way back to joy again. I just had to give myself a chance. It allows me to reconnect without worry from anyone else.
Brain aneurysms and their treatments can have significant impacts on mental health. It's crucial to seek help from a professional who understands these challenges and can provide the necessary treatment options. Therapy, medication, self-care, and mindfulness practices are all vital components of treating mental health issues. If you or someone you love is struggling, know that there is hope, and seeking help is a necessary step towards healing.
Still lying in bed, I decided that instead of giving up completely I would try one last time to make something out of this tragedy by using what I still had left to write about living with a disability so others might learn from my experience and find strength through their own struggles too.
With newfound determination, I slowly started writing. That eventually became a reminder of how far I somehow made it. Writings with stories both sad and inspiring for some. They are all written while fighting off suicidal thoughts brought on after suffering from a ruptured brain aneurysm.
I never expected to be in this situation. I was a successful business executive, with a beautiful family and everything that came with it. But then my life changed drastically when I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. It left me feeling crippled, helpless and completely overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster of depression and suicidal thoughts that followed.
At first, I felt like there was no hope for me; no way out of the darkness surrounding me. That’s when my family stepped in to help – they were my biggest supporters throughout everything. They provided love and encouragement, which gave me some strength to carry on each day despite how hard it seemed at times.
In addition to having their support, I also decided to take certain measures into my own hands as well - such as seeing a therapist regularly who specialized in helping people cope with mental health issues after experiencing traumatic events like mine; eating healthy meals every day; exercising regularly; connecting with nature whenever possible through walks or hikes outdoors; meditating daily for peace of mind; talking about my feelings openly instead of bottling them inside myself; writing down all the positive aspects of life that still existed even if things looked bleak from time-to-time…and so much more!
All these little steps, slowly but surely, helped build up myself again. The courage and strength needed to overcome depression and suicide took awhile. That was something I thought would never happen before taking action towards rebuilding a new version of ‘me’ one step at a time!
