United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I love the advice in this thread!

I also want to add that it's okay to ask for help. Too many of my friends talk about how they're "not crazy and don't need to see no shrink" and so they don't see anyone about their depression. I hate the stigma attached to psychiatrists/psychologists. They have so many good tools to offer on coping, yet so many people don't take advantage of it due to that stigma. Sometimes seeing someone can be as much about prevention - fighting depression's onset - as it can be for "fixing" something.

Personally, I'm about to start on antidepressants, but my depression is seasonal/situational, not a result of my accident (this time around, anyway).

Swimhappy:

I agree with you, "it's okay to ask for help," this also goes for asking for help on daily things. Personally, I like to at least try to do everything, and if I can, do it... Otherwise there are usually more than enough people that would be happy to help. On the psychology, I agree the stigma is pretty bad, but they are just there to help; and if you think it will be beneficial, you should go. Now on the other hand not everyone grieves the same way and you may not need to go talk to someone, in which case you dont have to. It really is in context of the situation. A lot of the stigma they have is gotten from doctors that don't know what is going on, and in turn tell you this is a metal/all in your head disorder go speak with a psych. thus giving you a negative impression of psychologist before you even meet them.

ChristineM,
Doctors tell us adult OBPI's the same thing. But I finally found a good Therapist who is/was willing to learn about Our Injuries and what kind of difficult childhoods we adults experienced and the PTSD's connection that pops up as we age....{I aged}.
FYI it took changing therapists 4 times but it is worth it!

Carolyn J
LOBPI/72

on learning how to do things a different way, when i was in the rehab hospital and nothing to do but sit and think about how i cant do things, i decided i would teach myself how to tie my shoes. i sat in a chair and put my shoe in my lap and for 2 hours, i sat there trying and trying to tie my shoe with one hand. i learned it very well, then, i found out that i did it wrong. i never tie my shoes with the tie on the top of the shoe, they are always to the side when they are on my foot , which is on my knee. so i had to sit an figure it out again but this time i put the shoe on its side and did it right. but now i can tie my shoe one-handed if i have to. my sister laughed at me because i put so much effort into it then had to do it all over again!! lol lol. so i guess if you get depressed or feeling a bit down, try to come up with something simple to figure out how to do. you may find yourself in an amusing situation. and you cant do anything but laugh at yourself. oh i worked so hard for NOTHING.

HI, I was discouraged with my injury.I was always a very active outdoors person. Now how would I ever hunt or fish again. Then I went and saw a pro fisherman, by the name Clay Dyer. He was born with no legs, and only one partial arm. He said there is no such thing as the word can't. You just drop the T and you have can. I can do it. I realized if he can fish in his condition professionaly , I should be able to do my hobbies also. I now shoot with one arm, and have gotten into handguns. I fish every chance I get. I have had to change my style some, but am still doing what I love. I am a farmer, and once I was able to get back on my tractor, I really saw a big improvement in my spirits. Just realizing I could still be an active person seemed to help the healing process. It has been five years since my accident, and I never look back. Just keep moving forward. Things will get better. This injury takes alot of time to heal. Keep Active, and never give up.