7 Comments
Stroke Depression
Stroke depression plagues many stroke survivors, because they bemoan the loss of their abilities and the person they were before the brain attack changed their lives forever.
We’ll be celebrating our second Christmas since Steve’s stroke, and we’re so glad he is with us and improving in his stroke recovery. But he has difficulty in seeing how important he is to us. He doesn’t realize that we love him for who he is, not for what he can do. But the physical deficits he has experienced has been so profound, because his abilities were so great. As a result, he feels useless, worthless and depressed.
In this depressed state of mind, Steve thinks he is of no value to anyone, and he feels like he’s only half a man. But if you ask his grandchildren, they don’t notice any of those things because they just love their Grandpa for who he is.
A few months ago, our daughter Pam and her husband, Greg, came over with their three kids to help with some yard work. Steve was sitting outside in his electric wheelchair watching Greg cut down some trees. 
Then our 7 yr. old grandson, Micah, grabbed a blanket and the manual wheelchair from the garage and wheeled it out to the backyard to sit next to his Grandpa. He just wanted to identify with him, and it didn’t make a difference what his Grandpa’s limitations were.
If Steve could only see himself as his family sees him, he would realize how valuable he is to our family unit.
Every day he is getting a little stronger, although it’s at a snail’s pace. According to his standards, he feels like he has made no improvement at all. Discouragement, hopelessness and depression have plagued him for the last year, and have actually slowed his recovery. He expected to recover faster than he has, so because he hasn’t met his own expectations, he has become blinded to the progress he has made, resulting in more depression. This vicious cycle will continue as long as he dwells on the past instead of on the accomplishments he has made.
These are feelings that most stroke survivors experience. This grieving process will hopefully come to an end soon once he accepts the situation for what it is, and looks to improve upon it. In the meantime, all we can do is love and encourage him, and of course, pray for him. We are clinging to God’s promises and are looking forward to the new things God is doing Steve’s life and in our family.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19
Hi Kathy,
I’m a 27 years old female and I had a stroke when I was 26.. last summer to be exact.. which paralyzed my whole left side and I am blessed to be able to live to celebrate my 27th birthday. I had a tumor that had to be taken by surgery and in the surgery that was done not by my neurosurgeon, but by one of his resident (my family knew this after all of the complications), accidentally my artery was poked and i had a hemorrhage and a stroke. I also went through a craniotomy, brain bypass surgery and clipping. I was in the ICU for about 5 weeks before I went to stay at a rehab centre, and because of my age, I recovered really fast – but it’s not without a lot of hard work and perseverance. I failed many times as I tried to walk and got frustrated many times before when I wasn’t able to do things myself.. easy things like holding my fork to eat…
January 1st, 2010 at 7:08 pmAnd yes, God is good , and though I did face through all the stages of grief, I was finally able to come out from my depression. One thing that helped me was to live in the present and looking forward to my future. There were lots of embarrassment for not being able to do things though I was young, had to be dependent on people around me even when I needed to go to the washroom, hated that my parents had to take care of me again like I was a baby when it was my time to take care of them instead. I even saw a psychologist for my depression and I found that the key is within myself. I decide whether I want to be depressed or not, whether I want to continue on pitying myself or not, and I learned to forgive and forget the past and things that happened. I give thanks to God for my life everyday and my new motto in life is – I can do it if I think I can do it!
For me, I had 2 choices, 1. whether to pity myself for being a ‘disabled’ at 26 years old and cry or 2. to get up and try again and again when I fail. And for me, it’s too obvious which one I had to choose. Living at the rehab centre also made me see that I wasn’t alone, there were lots of people with the same or even worse condition and yet they tried their best and wouldn’t give up. I kept a journal and wrote down the things I was thankful for everyday. I challenged myself even with the smallest thing I could do, like waking up in the morning from my left side (which was the weak side), had to use my left hand for things on my left including typing, only use my left hand to do certain things like fixing my glasses when I’m wearing it. Being able to do those little challenges gave me a sense of satisfaction that I was doing things to make myself better.
And this has led me to where I am today. Of course all these need to come from Steve himself as noone would’ve been able to force me to do these things (I used to hate people telling me to hold my fork with my left/weak hand, to put on my socks with my left hand, etc) So please continue to always encourage Steve and let him look forward to his future. He’s not alone and never alone in this challenge. Going out and enjoying life outside my house also work for me, tho I hated meeting new/not-so-close friends since I felt embarrassed with my condition. Make him look forward to living his life and that he HAS a future. Thanks for sharing your experience and God bless your journey! I’ll pray for you, Steve, and your whole family!
Dear Eve,
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:01 pmThank you for sharing such optimistic news of how perseverance, faith and fortitude helped you in your stroke recovery. And thank you for your prayers also. I’m so glad that you have chosen to be a better person instead of bitter. May God continue to bless you with his grace, strength and faith as you recover.
My love and prayers,
Kathy
Hello Kathy,
March 8th, 2010 at 11:44 amAs I’ve told hundreds, “Depression is the gift that keeps on giving”, if you let it.
If been a caregiver to my father and a stroke survivor too. I’ve seen both side up close and personal.
My father was depressed for 10years after his stroke. His right arm didn’t work, to walk he used a ankle brace and cane, had limited use of speech and difficult reading.
He changed after 10yrs when he realized the “Good Health Truck” was never coming. He started working on getting better for the next 13 years, it worked.
My stroke was just like his, maybe worst. I had two stroke the same day. Wasn’t expected to live over night according to the doctor.
I started working on getting better using the therapists and on my own everyday. I decided to skip the 10 years of depression and go for the cure.
Steve needs to let go of the past and grab the right here and now. Work on the little things, they all add up.
Winning the little challenges always made me smile.
http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/profiles/blogs/purchase-zaditor-cheap-with-no Order zaditor http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/forum/topics/buy-lamisil-cream-without-rx Order cheap lamisil Cream http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/forum/topics/probenecid-colchicine-500-5 Buy cheap colchicine online http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/forum/topics/lovastatin-antibiotic-order Buy cheap altocor http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/copd-theophylline-purchase Buy cheap theo-24 sr http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/profiles/blogs/purchase-reglan-no-1 Order cheap reglan online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/buy-lidocaine-with-no-rx Buy cheap lidocaine http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/clomipramine-orgasm-purchase Order anafranil sr online http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/order-kamagra-effervescent-at Order kamagra Effervescent online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/order-orthocept-cheap-online Buy cheap ortho-cept online
August 4th, 2010 at 2:24 amhttp://cnpssdggss.ning.com/forum/topics/probenecid-colchicine-500-5 Order cheap colchicine http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/forum/topics/buy-lamisil-cream-without-rx Purchase cheap lamisil Cream online http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/profiles/blogs/purchase-reglan-no-1 Purchase cheap reglan http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/forum/topics/lovastatin-antibiotic-order Order cheap altocor http://cnpssdggss.ning.com/profiles/blogs/purchase-zaditor-cheap-with-no Buy cheap zaditor http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/order-orthocept-cheap-online Order cheap ortho-cept online http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/copd-theophylline-purchase Order theo-24 sr online http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/order-kamagra-effervescent-at Purchase kamagra Effervescent http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/buy-lidocaine-with-no-rx Buy cheap lidocaine online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/clomipramine-orgasm-purchase Order anafranil sr
August 4th, 2010 at 3:01 amhttp://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/prednisone-side-effects-long Buy cheap sterapred http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/xalatan-indication-purchase Purchase xalatan online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/order-vantin-cheap-with-no-rx Buy cheap vantin http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/betnovate-psoriasis-order Purchase cheap betnovate http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/omeprazole-dangerouse-dosage Purchase omeprazole online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/generic-neurobion-forte Order cheap neurobion Forte (B1+B6+B12) http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/dog-on-amikacin-order Purchase cheap amikacin http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/indometacin-and-sjs-order Order indometacin http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/what-is-isosorbide-dinitrate Buy isordil titradose tr online http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/buy-vigrx-cheap-online Order vigRX
August 4th, 2010 at 4:42 amhttp://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/azor-540mg-tab-order-azor Buy cheap azor online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/low-estradiol-physiologic Order cheap estrace http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/sumenta-without-prescription Order sumenta online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/buy-penisole-oil-without Purchase cheap penisole Oil online http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/purchase-pilocarpine-eye-drops-4 Purchase pilocarpine Eye Drops http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/is-cyclobenzaprine-a-good Order cheap apri online http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/lamivudine-zidovudine Purchase epivir-hbv online http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/cancers-cured-by-gleevec Purchase cheap gleevec http://community.bonniehunt.com/profiles/blogs/where-can-i-buy-100-pure Buy cheap 100% Pure Okinawan Coral Calcium online http://community.bonniehunt.com/forum/topics/purchase-diltiazem-cd-online-1 Buy cheap diltiazem cd
August 4th, 2010 at 6:12 am