Shaner’s Profile

Open Depression

I had a severe brain injury in September 2006. Been battling depression ever since I got out of rehab and I think that the depression battle will be a long term fight in my life to stay in "the light"

Treatments

Positive Thinking Working / Worked

I have always had a really positive outlook on life, it really helps to be a positive person when struggling with depression

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I have been seeing a councellor, but now I think I need to step it up and see a psychiatrist for some clinical help.

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

I have a large group of friends and they mean the world to me. I also have a supportive family for the most part anyways.

Writing Working / Worked

I journal about 3 or 4 times a week on this site, it keeps me in tune with what is going on deep inside my brain.

Open Stroke

During the first few hours after getting to the hospital after my brain injury, I had about 5 small strokes. I know it could have been worse, but now I am partially blind.

Open Marijuana Addiction & Recovery

Well, to tell the truth, I have smoked a lot of weed. I used to smoke everyday, but since my accident I thought I "quit". I don't smoke that much anymore, but a lot of my friends still do and it is hard for me to say no. I just gotta quit for real now.

Open Insomnia

I have always been a good sleeper. I started experiencing insomnia when I was in recovery for my injury. I get it now most days of the week. I just can't shut my mind off and relax. So hard to get up at 6 for an hour bus ride to school on 3 hours of sleep.

Treatments

Lunesta Working / Worked

This medication works really well, but I don't take it every night as I might develop a dependency and I don't want to get addicted to sleeping pills.

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

I learned how to meditate a few years ago. Unfortunately, when I am awake at 3am, I usually don't have the patience to meditate. I have to work on that.

Reading Somewhat Helpful

Well same with meditation, I usually don't have the patience to pick up a book and read if it is 3am.

Open Blindness & Visual Impairment
Type: Partially Sighted

Well, I am now partially blind due to the strokes I had while in the hospital because of my brain injury. It affects my reading (double lines) and I can't drive because of it.

Open Family Issues

Well, to tell the truth, I have a heavenly family compared to some people. That does not mean that I get along with my Mom and Dad well though. I have been living with my Mom my whole life and we don't get along well at all anymore. It is so hard when I have been through so much and continually struggling with depression and my parents don't treat me very well, especially my Dad. As I said before, I know my family isn't nearly as bad as it could be, but it still isn't good at all.

Treatments

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I just started psychotherapy for my clinical depression and I am gonna start to approach my therapist about my family issues with my parents

Writing Working / Worked

I journal a lot on this site, if I get frustrated and get in a big fight with my Mom and I can't get away, I just get on here and write a "frustration" journal, it helps to get it out.

Open Coma

Well because of the fall that caused my brain injury, I was in a coma for a month. Reportedly I was at the Glasgow Coma Scale #5 (the deepest) on the way to the hospital. There is just a big void in my life that I can't remember.

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Friend

Well, I am only just 27 and I have lost a lot of friends and people close to me from various tragedies.

Treatments

Crying Working / Worked

I am not one of those guys who won't let myself cry because it is "not manly". I let my feelings out when I feel them, that is the healthiest way to do it.

Prayer Working / Worked

I pray to God for strength and for their families.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I am doing clinical councelling for my depression, and I bring up other issues besides just my accident and it all helps a lot.

Open Accidents

I guess you could call this a car accident group for me. My life has been affected a lot by car accidents. I have lost a few good friends to car accidents. In 2001, I got in a head on collision on the highway and it totalled both cars. I was okay, but it was scary as shit.

Open Breakups & Divorce

Well, I have no personal experience with divorce, but it is in my life somewhat. My parents split up when I was about 6 months old and I never lived with my Dad. Then my dad got "the rug pulled out from under his feet" when his second wife of 18 years, just didn't love him anymore. That was really hard on him. I guess I am a bit jaded by marriage now because of what my parents have experienced. I think I have found the right woman already, but who knows? Right?

Treatments

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

I have other friends who have experienced divorce with their parents and whatnot, it just helps when you are there with someone

Support Groups Working / Worked

Well, you are looking at it. This site is so great, I can't get over it. Just thanks to everyone who reads this for playing their part in all the support