Hello all, feeling down

[WsD22]

Hello all, I was recently involved in a motorcycle accident 2 months ago. I ended up breaking my a vertebrae bone in my neck. I have been wearing a Halo-brace which basically is a cage around your head and holds your neck in place. I was supposed to be wearing this for a max 8 weeks. But now this week I find out it's not healing as it should be and the doctor said he recommended surgery in this situation.

I will be having the surgery done in 2 weeks. He says I will most likely be out of work for 6-8 weeks after. I will not have to wear the halo after, which I'm looking forward to. But now it's like I'm starting the recovery process all over again.

I'm starting to really get a lot of anxiety and depression, due to being in this halo for almost 2 months now. I'm stuck at my house and not able to drive anywhere. I've been bored out of my mind, not working, and not many visitors. I've been trying to keep my mind busy reading and watching tv, but there's only so much you can do. Any tips?

 

[Adirv14]

It is promising that the doctor is keeping close eye on your recovery and spotted a problem quickly. I cant say i have ever been in your situation but lets try to make a positive out of it. Surely those always something you wanted to learn and 6 to 8 weeks is a good chunk of time to really get to know a subject, whethet that be mechanics, a different language, or computer stuff, or how to cook. I recommend try challenging your mind a little bit. It may help with overal mood so at least you feel productive and you knock something off your checklist of things you would like to know. Also sometimes friends and family dont know the extent of how you are feeling and it could be beneficial to tell them you would like to see them more often especially now since you are injured at the moment. Im sure they love you and wont mind stopping by more frequently they just didnt know you would like for them to.
Good luck buddy hope i helped in some way.

 

[LostMyWay]

I'm sorry to hear about what happened, and I hope you are able to fully recover from it after the surgery. As for the anxiety and depression, the one thing I would really suggest is trying to keep as busy as you can doing whatever you are able to do. You only mentioned reading and watching tv, though I'm wondering if you have any other hobbies you could do as well that won't be any strain on your neck. Maybe find things online to do, chat with friends, or try making new ones online. Try finding new hobbies, even if it's just something temporary until you can get out and start doing other things again. Try doing some writing. I'm sure I'm not good with it, but I've tried writing poems based on how I was feeling at the time and it can help a little.

I've been stuck in that same sort of situation for years (though my situation is self imposed) and the one thing that has kept me sane (sort of sane anyway) is my love for video games. Even if you aren't into gaming, maybe you could try some free games that will keep you distracted and take your mind off things. I used to spend a lot of time watching tv and movies, but when you're playing a game you are actually involved with what's going on unlike tv or movies where you just sit and watch. I find that with some games they really get you thinking about the game itself, and it can be pretty easy to get lost in them and forget about other things as you play. If you want something with social aspects there seem to be a lot of free online multiplayer games, so maybe try doing some research and who knows you might find something interesting.

I definitely relate to that feeling of being isolated and alone, so just try your best to keep yourself busy and distracted so it doesn't keep dragging you down. Don't fully isolate yourself, try and keep in touch with friends and family as it can really start to hurt over time. Good luck.

 

[WsD22]

I will definitely look into finding something that will challenge my mind, I just don't really know of anything that would interest me at this time. I'm feeling like I don't enjoy the things I used to. Before the accident I was big on being productive and getting things done made me feel accomplished. I hope I can find something that will make me feel as if I've accomplished something, because right now I'm not productive at all.

I have been trying to find somewhere online where I can chat with like-minded people (other than this site). Any recommendations on a website I can chat and get a conversation going? Also I used to be big into video games about 10 years ago but I outgrew that stage. I would definitely like to get back into them, as they would keep my attention for days on end. I remember playing a lot of games that had a story behind them.

 

[janemariesayed]

Hello all, I was recently involved in a motorcycle accident 2 months ago. I ended up breaking my a vertebrae bone in my neck. I have been wearing a Halo-brace which basically is a cage around your head and holds your neck in place. I was supposed to be wearing this for a max 8 weeks. But now this week I find out it's not healing as it should be and the doctor said he recommended surgery in this situation.

I will be having the surgery done in 2 weeks. He says I will most likely be out of work for 6-8 weeks after. I will not have to wear the halo after, which I'm looking forward to. But now it's like I'm starting the recovery process all over again.

I'm starting to really get a lot of anxiety and depression, due to being in this halo for almost 2 months now. I'm stuck at my house and not able to drive anywhere. I've been bored out of my mind, not working, and not many visitors. I've been trying to keep my mind busy reading and watching tv, but there's only so much you can do. Any tips?

I'm sorry you have found yourself in this painful predicament. There are a number of things you can do to amuse yourself when you can't really do anything. For starters, you could meditate which would help your anxieties and help you to reach a euphoric state. Which is ideal as it must be so difficult wearing that awful thing. I'm so sorry for you having to endure that.

You know that it will pass though. You know that it is going to get better and that you will be able to return to your life. Make sure you stay in touch with your friends, go and see them if you can and invite them round for a game of chess if you can. Find a computer game that amuses you. Put your feet up and enjoy a bit of resting and pampering. It will do you the world of good. Just remember that this is all temporary. You are still in the life and will recover. Give your body time to heal. So what book are you reading at the moment?

 

[LostMyWay]

I will definitely look into finding something that will challenge my mind, I just don't really know of anything that would interest me at this time. I'm feeling like I don't enjoy the things I used to. Before the accident I was big on being productive and getting things done made me feel accomplished. I hope I can find something that will make me feel as if I've accomplished something, because right now I'm not productive at all.

I have been trying to find somewhere online where I can chat with like-minded people (other than this site). Any recommendations on a website I can chat and get a conversation going? Also I used to be big into video games about 10 years ago but I outgrew that stage. I would definitely like to get back into them, as they would keep my attention for days on end. I remember playing a lot of games that had a story behind them.

Honestly, after reading that it makes me worry. Obviously it doesn't mean the same thing will happen to you, but before my anxiety and depression really got bad you would rarely ever find me just sitting around. I would be outside and just enjoying life, but now almost literally all I do is sit here looking at either my tv screen or pc screen. So while I'm sure you won't end up down the same path as me, just be careful you don't let it happen because once you really fall it can be hard getting back up. I think my first step towards that pit was losing interest in the things I normally enjoy. I basically stopped doing those things, then didn't have anything else to replace it with and that wasn't a smart move.

I've been trying to find the same thing too, but never sure which places to try. I'm sure some people would say to find sites for your interests or hobbies, that way you would have people there you could at least talk to about similar interests. People on sites like that might not be so understanding though, then again you never know. What kinds of games were you into when you played them? I've always felt like you're never too old for them, you just have to find ones that appeal more to your tastes as you grow out of others. Oddly enough I was into the more violent games when I was younger, things like fighting games or shooters where you just go around killing everything. Now I prefer something like an RPG because not only do they usually have a long story to follow, but they're games that can really make you sit and think. I also love open world driving games where you can just freely cruise around the map, I find driving relaxing and since I can't do it in real life lately I do it in games.

So try and find something that suits you, whether it is some kind of game or anything else to keep you busy and distracted. If you want you can message me, I'm not the best at conversations but I do still try.