ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: claire1 on March 01, 2008, 12:26:09 am
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Hi everyone
I'm realatively new to this type of forum. I need to know if anyone here sees' a psychologist to help with the depression of haveing an acoustic neuroma and all the havoc it causes. I'm having a really hard time with it. Does it help?
claire a
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Sorry to hear of your troubles, and the answers are :
Yes, Yes, and Yes
If you search on "depression" you will find a whole directory here
equally if you check out the med options you will find that
meds may not always be a simple option
The link below talks about the cognitive issues
and why meds dont always help:
http://www.backgroundfacts.com/menieres/COGDIS.htm
Also there is "Post-Op-depression"
- it can happen to anyone
I consider the therapy works but you may need more than
"tea and sympathy" i.e. "oh dear how, sad for you"
Many folks make a good living - just listening well
best to seek someone with experiance
of brain recovery type injuries ?
Someone who can comprehend the issues you face
- and can help you plan around them
is much more likely to be of assistance
When I sat down and put all my issues on paper
it read like a protest song from Bob Dylan (?)
- the therapist was it bit surprised I was still walking around...
Finally clearly here there are many who do feel
the same way - and can offer some pointers for you
Best Regards
Tony
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I never went to a psychologist but I probably should have. Do some research on the grief cycle, that helped me. You are not alone! My surgery was not quite 4 years ago and things are better now but I still have moments. Best of luck to you and this forum has been my grace many times.
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Claire:
While we're all individuals and handle the ramifications of an acoustic neuroma - it's symptoms and the sometimes life-altering changes surgery and/or radiation produce, differently - anxiety and depression are fairly common in AN patients - and for good reason. Some of the posts here will attest to the unpleasant reality that unexpectedly and permanently losing your hearing in one ear, facial paralysis - at almost any noticeable level - and the other assorted complications that can come with an AN and/or following surgery and/or radiation can certainly drive a person into some form of depression.
Contrary to common misconceptions, one does not simply 'snap out of it'. It can take a plethora of losses and some time to drive a person into depression and it often takes time and effort (with professional help) to climb out of it. Of course, a positive attitude and a solid circle of support, be it family or friends or a healthy combination of each certainly does help someone deal with the 'AN experience'. However, family and friends cannot see the AN and when it's been removed (or radiated), they often assume - mistakenly - that you should simply 'bounce back' to your old self. After all, your medical problem has been 'fixed', right? Wrong!
The AN patient has undergone a life-changing experience, been forced to face his or her mortality and inevitably has to deal with the results of the tumor that has taken their hearing in one ear, upset their normal equilibrium and otherwise altered their lifestyle to some degree. This doesn't even include the initial stress of finding a surgeon you can feel confident with, dealing with insurance, work-related issues (before and after surgery or radiation) and then, should complications arise following surgery or radiation treatment, accepting whatever you've lost and adapting to the 'new you'. To say 'only the strong survive' (an AN) is an understatement.
For these reasons, I would sincerely encourage any AN patient who realizes they are unable to cope and perhaps sliding into depression - on any level - to seek professional help; be it accomplished through professional counselllng, a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Even confiding your fears and frustrations to a clergyman or sensitive and trusted friend beats keeping all of the angst inside,to fester, although I believe a trained profession may offer more helpful advice and ways to deal with your issues. Of course, there are always the forums here at the ANA website, which are free. Of course we can't really counsel anyone with any degree of professional expertise - and we don't try to do so - but we can be a safe place to vent to those who will not only empathize but might be able to offer some ways they may have coped with their losses and frustration having an acoustic neuroma brought about.
Claire, I hope you feel better soon and I trust that you'll avail yourself of these forums as well as seek out professional help to deal with all the 'havoc' of an acoustic neuroma. Your inquiry about the possible benefits of talking to a psychologist demonstrates sound judgment and I believe that with a little help, you'll eventually be fine. Please stay connected here and know that you'll be in the prayers of myself and many others.
Jim
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Claire~
Hello! Have you just found out about your AN or are recovering from a treatment?
I agree with the others in that there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help to deal with all of the changes that you are trying to deal with -- this is something you have to deal with 24/7 -- you can't ever just walk away and take a break! When I had my surgery 12 years ago, the one book that we were given (the ONLY resource or information about AN) said that you would more than likely NEED to seek counsel because of the drastic lifestyle &/or appearance changes (but even those are so much reduced now). I agree with Jim that attitude does play such an important part of recovery, but getting some help towards a good attitude is a good thing too!!
Please know that I would love to chat with you or just be a listening ear - you can send me a PM if you are interested in talking.
Good Luck!
K
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I think everyone goes through rough times. It's hard to relate to family and friends on something that they just can't understand. If you feel you need to talk to someone...go for it!
I use this site, and a electronic journal, but if one day I feel that I need it...I would in a hearbeat.
GM
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Well if you suffer deficits as a result its hard not to be depressed but hey nothing is set in stone and we have to use new areas of our brains as we are scientists finding not hard wired and the trick is to find new things you are capable of doing and do them as an idle mind truly is depressions workshop, when I first woke up after my coma I was on Zoloft but didnt like it and for an active person like me trust me you all have NO idea of what I gave up a seditary lifestyle was killing me, but after 31 years I did something I hadnt done since I was 16 I prayed as I was getting suicidal thoughts which is so unlike me it scared me and at the time I just prayed to sleep as I hadnt slept in almost 4 days watching the sun go down and come up in my bedroom window my mind racing with anxiety the whole time, well it worked and I finally slept not too long 6 hours maybe and it was a shot of life I needed as my brain finally shut down and I didnt die so I have not missed church since that day and its not so bad I have a new circle of friends than I did in my previous life and in my faith we are given callings and I enjoy being useful as I can perform these duties so for those struggling dont be afraid to reach out life is truly about change and I feel being busy keeps the depression at bay thats why I enjoy these groups.
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Don~
I am definitely atrong believer in the power of prayer!!
K
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Kaybo any sane person is I am not making up anything I post here and there is no explanation on why I lived let alone function at the level I do now, hey prayer works for me as if I tried to evaluate the medical reasons it dont add up? Thats why I now make it a point to pray before I sleep and when I wake up each day some might scoff but it helps me I have found and I do believe by praying for others we are in return blessed I think the fact that we have the capability to worry about others in our condition does a lot to strengthen our resolve to get over it.
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Claire,
Sorry it took me so long to find your post. I saw a therapist once a week for a few months then every two weeks and then monthly. I also see a shrink for med management. I think the AN surgery was the straw that broke this camel's back, so to speak. I feel much better now, although I have my moments, but I do take Cymbalta for depression and pain management. This forum and the wonderful people who post have helped me more than words can say. Hang in there. Make sure you find a therapist who has at least heard of AN. Grief counseling books are also another good source to learn from. We are all pulling for you and here for yo.
Hugs,
Brenda
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Claire -
as GM said, this forum is a great tool for coping with depression and as others have said, it can be part of the AN journey. I didn't realize it, until the day of my BAHA surgery, that I was depressed about my situation. Although I am for the most part "normal", the SSD was really taking a toll on me mentally. I wish I would have recognized this, but I spent the last 9 months feeling like I was walking through quick sand. Had I only known, I would have sought professional help.
I've seen a therapist in the past while I was going through many years of infertility and also when I was separated from my ex and going through a very long divorce. Both times I found the therapy extremely helpful. IMO, there is no stigma in seeing a psychologist, LCSW, or a psychiatrist (sp ?). If you feel it will be valuable for you, please make an appointment.
Jan
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Claire,
Havoc is a good way to describe it! Non-AN-er's just don't know exactly how we are feeling, no matter how hard they try. I'd say - try whatever you need to try to feel like yourself again - therapy, prayer, exercise, prescribed medication...a combination of them...You've been through a lot so it's perfectly normal to feel depressed and feel like you've lost a part of yourself. Its taken me a year to finally get to the point where I feel almost normal again. Some people get to that point sooner, some later. You deserve to feel good again so make sure you take the time to take care of yourself.
It does get better! I guess it's all part of this AN Journey!
Lori
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Lori,
I'm so glad you finally feel normal. I wish I knew what normal felt like. My symptoms are worse and the pain at my temple and behind my eye is driving me insane. Even the left side of my neck hurts. I try so hard to keep it all together at work, but when I come home I fall apart. I'm on effexor (sp). Maybe I should see my family dr about cymbalta. I go for a MRI on Father's Day's and I see the specialist July 10. Four months is a long time, but I know he is a phone call away. Sometimes I'm too stubborn for my own good. I keep saying to myself tomorrow will be better. Always hoping :'(
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Thank you all so much for your knid thoughts and prayers. I see now that this forum is the place I should be. Tomorrow I see the dr. and will ask him to make an appointment with a psychologist you has expertice, or at least have SOME knowledge of AN.
Thank You all for being here
My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Claire1
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Claire -
our thoughts and prayers are with you too.
Good luck with the doc tomorrow,
Jan
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Yardtick -
I guess "normal" is all relative. Maybe a slightly newer perception of normal is more accurate. But I did notice the other day that things I dreaded or couldn't do last summer, I can do now - take the kids to the park, keep up with them (sortof) on the playground, drive on the interstate, go to the gym. Before I had such a hard time just worrying about keeping upright and the eye issues and not hearing anything from the right that I couldn't even think about chasing the kids around. My energy level is almost back to where it was pre-surgery.
I think socially, I will never be the same person, as I now tend to avoid crowds or noisy situations whenever possible. Physically, I'm pretty good now and most of the time, emotionally, I'm okay. (ok, I'm on Effexor too, so I guess that helps, huh?) I have my moments when I want to crawl under the covers and not come out until my face works and I can hear again, but for the most part, I think I'm doing pretty well. It took me a whole year to get the that point though. I guess everyone just takes their own time to get to the point where they can feel "normal" again.
You should call your doctor about the pain you're having. There's no need to suffer for four months if you don't have to. Hang in there! I hope today is a better day and tomorrow is even better.
Lori