[Snoopy3407]

Greetings.....

I suffered a concussion 7 months ago, which required a month long stay in a Rehabilitation Hospital----I am currently still attending Out Patient Therapy for neuro-Psych., but my Occupational, Physical and Speech/Cognition Therapies had to be put on "hold" because of lack of progress.
Because of severe/chronic migraine/daily post traumatic head pain, Sensory Modulation and Depression, I simply wasn't able to continue with progress.

My Depression grew from the daily pain, the isolation (due to stimuli causing migraines), loss of work, etc.

I have spiraled from Depression to Major Depression, and yesterday *finally* told my Neuro Psych. I have been hearing the berating voice of my 'bio mother'.
She suspects this is a manifestation of more PTSD symptoms and some Dissociation, but did not mention Depression with Psychotic Features. Maybe because I don't display delusions???

We have been trying for weeks to have Workmans' Comp approve a Psychiatric Evaluation because of my worsening condition.
They *have* approved several different therapies recommended by my neurologist for the migraines (Botox and self administered injections of DHE).

What I would like to know is:: Do the hallucinations usually increase in severity or frequency, or can I continue to manage them with good 'self talk' and reminders that the voices aren't real. ??

With my increased thoughts of 'ending it all', the Dr.s are very concerned; but again, I've been able to remind myself that taking my life would devastate my children (18 and 20), and that I should 'busy myself' with something to distract myself from the feelings of guilt, hoplessness and pain.

Thank you for listening.........

[Snoopy3407]

Good Morning..........
I was still wondering if anyone on here has suffered from a major depressive disorder without delusions, but with auditory hallucinations??

[puzzclar]

I've ahd auditory hallucinations and delusions. and suffer from MDD (major depressive disorder). Good self talk can help, medication can help, therapy can help, talking to anyone can help. It all depends on what works for you.

It may seem like you are getting worse, but thinking that you are getting worse can cause the symptoms to get worse... so be careful. (from experience) The mind is a powerful organ, and can be fooled into thinking of things getting worse..

again this is from my experiences, and it's been hard to live with "the voices" But it's doable, hard but still you can live with them.

And by good self talk, I mean thinks like defeating the thoughts, proofing that the thoughts aren't true, denying that they exsist. That sort of thing. I find that relaxation can help when when they voices return.

Good luck.

I have "depression with psychotic features" for 2 years now (straight-depressed for 3 years before that) which consists of auditory hallucinations (voices outside my head) and pseudo-hallucinations (voices inside my head), and some ?delusions. I think it's good that you have pinpointed the source of your voices (your bio mother) as that will be important in helping you not become absorbed by it/them. I've managed to avoid the 'nut hut' by focusing on the fact that my voices aren't real and that they're a manifestation of negative things that I think about myself based on past experiences. This helps me avoid being drawn into conversations with them and acting like I can hear things that no-one else can, or doing what they tell me to do (handy hint: it WON'T make them shut up). If voices get loud, most voice hearers recommend listening to loud music through headphones as that can drown them out. Other than that, all the things puzzclar recommended are good.

Regarding your query about delusions, I'm haven't had full-blown delusions that I believe 100%, otherwise I would've acted on them and my bizarre behaviour would've attracted unwanted attention and possibly the hospital. My doctors have called them 'delusions' but tend to mostly ignore them as I don't make a big deal out of it. Personally I see them as things that I worry about a lot that one one level I know to be silly. Like thinking my brain is rotting or that people can hear my thoughts. On one level I do really believe these things, or I wouldn't spend so much time obsessing about things, but obviously I know enough not to do anything strange in reaction to this or make a big deal about it.

I think it's really important to 'reality check' voices/delusions with someone you can trust or just yourself if you have to, because I think it's easy to get 'sucked in' and get stuck in your own world and be properly psychotic.

The only thing I can say with regards to why your doc never mentioned depression with psychotic features is because you have all this other stuff going on which is more likely to be causing the voices, but the only way to really know is to ask them.

Wishing you the best of luck with your recovery

*Willow*

[shezbut]

(((Snoopy3407)))

I can really relate to the effect of your TBI. I had a mild TBI in March of 2007, one year after brain surgery for my epilepsy. Since I'd had area of my skull removed in E surgery, my brain swelling didn't cause deadly problems for me.

I was pretty darn depressed before my TBI, but the TBI intensified my depression tenfold! My hub wasn't real sympathetic or understanding at all ~ and we had 2 young toddlers at home. I couldn't STAND the noise...it was way too intense for me! My depression became more and more intense. Thankfully, I never had delusions or heard voices, but I seriously planned the end of my life. And my entrance into the mental hospital was the end of my marriage.

I haven't been able to chat really, since my TBI. I can't process quickly enough, which just makes me frustrated. But a great website for support is http://www.tbihome.org You may want to check it out sometime. Seven months isn't very long really. It takes a LONG time for the brain to heal, which is invisible to others. I didn't see any improvement or acceptance in me for 2-3 years since the injury occurred. In some ways, we improve. Other ways, we just have to accept that we can't do X anymore. Our brains can't handle the stress and lots of changes.

My thoughts are with you. You're always welcome to PM me. Us TBI survivors have to stick together and support one another