The Emotional Effects of Paralysis

The Correlation Between Paralysis and Depression

Sustaining a spinal cord injury that caused paralysis has many physical challenges. And, when overwhelming emotional feelings are added, dealing with paralysis as a whole is undoubtedly more challenging to cope with.

According to a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), out of all the people who had a spinal cord injury, 49.3% had mild to severe depression.

Adjusting to paralysis is a process, and knowing your treatment options can help mitigate the emotional effects and depression so you can take control of your disability.

What is Depression?

The American Psychiatric Association defines depression as a severe medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, think, and act. Depression may cause someone to feel sad and hopeless. Read on to learn more about the common depression symptoms that someone with paralysis may experience.

Symptoms of Depression

You may be suffering from depression if you display the following symptoms:

• Wanting to sleep all the time
• Changes in appetite
• Unexplained weight loss/gain
• Negative thoughts or thoughts of suicide
• Concentration difficulties

Another symptom of depression is losing interest in activities you once enjoyed. Since living with paralysis has physical limitations that can hinder participation in activities, it can contribute to depression.

Thankfully, depression is a treatable condition, and people living with depression may benefit from the treatments explained in the section below.

Treatments for Depression

Someone who is suffering from depression may have a positive response to the following types of treatments:

• Medication
• Psychotherapy/counseling
• Hospital or residential treatments
• Brain stimulation therapies

If you are suffering from depression, it’s critical to speak to your doctor as soon as possible to help determine the right treatments for you. Having a medical professional guide you on ways to effectively cope with depression can make all the difference in improving your quality of life.

Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury? The Beasley Firm, LLC is Here For You.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury caused by another’s negligence, we are here to help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Pursuing compensation for your injury can help relieve the overwhelming medical costs and other expenses associated with treating a spinal cord injury.

Our team of experienced attorneys has the resources needed to take on the challenges that come with the most complicated spinal cord injury cases. With several record-breaking settlements and verdicts secured for our clients, we’re here to fight for you, too.

Contact The Beasley Firm, LLC today for your free case consultation with our team.