Coping with depression and disability

A disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. A person coping with a disability over a lifetime or after a sudden accident may experience periods of depression, a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Thankfully, there are ways to cope with both depression and disability.

Recently Disabled

Feelings of depression are very common among individuals that have experienced the trauma of a recent disability. You may be grieving the loss of independence and ability to care for yourself or your loved ones. Experiencing new limitations and acknowledging the loss you are feeling isn’t an easy task, but this endeavor is made more challenging as many feel they are now a burden.

You have memories of being able-bodied and self-sufficient, but you’re feeling sadness and anger over the loss of lifestyle you’re used to. Dealing with a new and unexpected physical or mental limitation has been likened to the same feeling you may have when you lose a loved one.

It’s okay for you to talk about your feelings and emotions in order to understand how to cope. Relying on family and friends as a support group can help. If that isn’t an option, speak with your attorney. Legal representatives, likes this car accident attorney in Redlands, can suggest a therapist.

Signs of Depression

While supportive individuals can help, many feel as if no one truly understands what they’re going through. You may be thinking, “Why me?”, or that you didn’t deserve this life altering event. These emotions can be normal, but when does it become too much? The following are signs of depression to be aware of:

Loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed
Feeling tired or run down all the time, despite getting enough sleep
Difficulty remembering things, concentrating, or making decisions
Feeling helpless or worthless
Frequent irritability
Sleep problems such as insomnia or sleeping too much
Increased or loss of appetite
Feeling ill, headaches, digestive issues, or unexplained aches and pains
Overwhelming feelings of sadness or anxiousness
Suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide

Getting Help

Although you may be receiving proper treatment for your disability, you may not be getting the emotional or mental support that you need at a time like this. Medical doctors are not usually trained to be counselors and may not be aware that you’re struggling with an emotional problem. There is no shame in asking for help. Your well-being depends on it.

Patients who are experiencing depression need to be their own advocate. Don’t be afraid to speak up and let your doctor know that you’re feeling extremely sad or depressed. Your doctor can help you find someone to talk to that is trained to help people in your situation. If you are unable to speak for yourself, work with your caregiver to find a solution for your depression.

While the recovery process can be daunting, you can also alleviate some stress by seeking compensation from your accident. Legal counsel, like these Folsom personal injury lawyers, can handle everything else while you focus on getting better.

When Depression Becomes Too Much to Handle

Feelings of sadness or depression are normal when you’re going through a drastic or traumatic life change, but these feelings or thoughts of suicide require help from a certified counselor when they last longer than a week. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for assistance.