It will be 6 years since I had my massive brain bleed. I've been on an anti-depression med since I had my cran by a neurosergen.
Is there such a thing as a neuropsycologist that could help us? I don't need to talk about my childhood, haha, I just need a doctor that knows about brain injuries and can help me with this depression. I called my local hospital and was told they don't have one that specialises in treating patient who have had a brain injury that causes my depression.
Any help from our Group would be greatly appeciated.
I'm so sorry you are going through this, Louisa, and I hope you feel better soon. I don't know much about this, but there is a neuropsychiatrist directory online that might help:
Thank you so much, dancemom! I've been trying all day to find a doctor in Rhode Island. Newport is not far from where I live so I'm going to check both. I've gone to a few regular psychiatrist, they want to talk about your childhood and what did your parents do to screw you up...that is NOT what I need. It's so frustrating. Thanks for helping...I really appreciate it.
Hey Louisa-I’m wondering if your neuro doc(s) could recommend or suggest a neuropsych? Or a social work or a local health organization? I can ask someone I know if he knows of any in RI…I don’t know RI at all…would that link to top docs. on here help in your search?
Barbara, I worked all day yesterday trying to find a neuropsyc in RI. I was refered to one that nows nothing about brain injury therapy I'm going to try one more today and then I think I'll have to go to MGH to see one. It's an 1 1/2 hour trip to MGH, but if I have to ask someone to drive me, I will. Thanks for your help!
You rock dancermom! I just saw that there is a neuropsychiatrist in my town. I had no idea and they weren't showing up in my searches. Weezie, call the ones in your area today. And you know I don't do anything all day so call me if you need me!
I have a call into my neuro seizure doctor to ask her if she can recommend anyone. I also left a message to talke to Dr. Ogilvy's nurse DeDe..to see if she can help me find someone closer to my area. The doctor's at Rhode Island Hospital usually suck, but I just don't have the ability to go back to Mass General by myself. I just typed a list of what I want to tell the doctors....I don't need to discuss my childhood, I just want my brain damaged fixed!
My apologies for the late response. It sounds like the psychiatrist that only wants to talk about your childhood and how your parents probably screwed you up is using the classical (Freudian) approach to counseling. It’s called psychoanalysis and takes a lot of time and money that most AVM survivors (if not everyone) do not have. The basic difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that one adheres to a medical model (cure the sickness) and is allowed to prescribe medication. Counselors or therapists do not, but they do work with doctors collaboratively. Like you don’t have enough meds already. Also, who wants to spend their time talking about their childhood? Depression is a very real and horrible thing and I wish the very best in your battle against it.
What you can do… while a good mental health doctor that knows about depression caused by a traumatic brain injury is always a good thing to have, it can be difficult to find, as you are well aware. A cheaper approach may be to find a counselor specializing in depression that adheres to another theory of counseling (not psychoanalysis) like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is a bit faster and just as (if not more) effective. Usually, counselors have sliding scales based on your income. Ask for this specifically. While I do not know Rhode Island very well (ok, not at all), this information can save you some time. If I can help you in any way, please let me know.
Thanks so much, Suzy. I am having a very difficult time finding help. Either they dont' accept no patients or they don't specialize in depression caused by a traumatic brain injury. It's crazy. Well I'm going to keep trying to find someone. Thanks again.
Thanks Ninibeth! I've been trying to find a professional team to help me with my issues. The crazy thing is that I can't find them. They are either not taking new patients or they have a long waiting list. I'm hoping my Primary Care doctor can help me. I missed his call yesterday, but am hoping to discuss this with him.
Louisa, the other approach might be to find someone who does neurofeedback. Insurance considers it experimental and doesn't cover it, but it can be very effective for depression, anxiety, and TBI. There is a particular type of neurofeedback called LENS:http://www.brainwavetherapy.com/lens.htm It is entirely passive and doesn't require anything from you other than sitting in a chair with your eyes closed for twenty minutes. My family has personal experience with this therapy.
Also, look into different types of lights that can reduce the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, which causes the winter blues. Low cost and could make a difference for you.
Thank you so much! I am going to see a new physcologist on Jan 2. I hope he's good. Very interesting about the lighting issue. I just moved into an appt. that has VERY bad lighting and that's when I started having this last depression. Thanks for all your help! I truly appreciate your support. Louisa
i see others are helping you find a therapist, I actually would suggest a cognitive behavioral therapist who does PTSD experience. PTSD is very treatable, but really important to find someone with experience. Also, I really like the heartmath device, you can buy from their website heartmath.com and from amazon, it's a personal tool to teach yourself to regulate your breathing to create good health. very simple to use, just put your thumb on it, and you learn to keep a steady heart rate for 'coherence' i think it's $100 or such, and you can buy the book as well. Really helpful to teach yourself how to react to stress well. worked wonders for me.
also, eat tons of fish for a week, see if the vitamin D makes you feel better. can't hurt, right?
that reminds me, a naturopath really helped my friend, the right food really impacts mood.
Ninibeth....The depression issue stopped after about 4 days. But, I don't want it to happen again, so I'm going to find a great doctor to support me if it does. Love you, Louisa
Hi Louisa-Dr. Oz update on happiness things to do:
Fake a smile; strategically placing a pencil in your mouth, forces your smile muscles. The brain doesn’t know or care if the smile is fake; however, if you do the pencil-thing in public, you might get some strange looks
Get 10 minutes of sunshine and/or get your Vitamin D daily fix
Eat good-mood foods, rich with Omega-3s like shrimp, salmon, and snapper; avoid trans-fat foods
Yawning-which function is actually to cool off the brain-it also improves concentration, memory, and of course happiness. Forcing it/going through the motions is supposedly supposed to produce a genuine yawn.
I’m wondering how I would behave without my physiologist and my anti depressions meds. Also decided to keep a very small group of friends, a large group is a recipe for disaster
