Navigating Depression After Brain Aneurysm
Learn how to navigate depression after a brain aneurysm with guidance from our specialized brain aneurysm clinic in Singapore. Discover strategies for emotional recovery and support to enhance well-being post-diagnosis.
Introduction to Brain Aneurysm
Experiencing a brain aneurysm can have lasting effects on you or someone you love. Research published in journals like the Journal of Neurosurgery and Stroke often cites that between 20-50% of survivors may suffer from depression post-aneurysm, especially following a rupture, which could impact their overall quality of life. To tackle depression successfully, it's vital to understand how it comes about in these patients and what you can expect. Keep reading to discover the statistics associated with depression after a brain aneurysm and what steps you need to take to care for this depression.
This article is part of our guide to emotional and cognitive changes after a brain aneurysm. For a broader overview of mood, behaviour, and mental health changes, visit Emotional and Cognitive Changes.
Depression After Brain Aneurysm
A brain aneurysm happens when a blood vessel thins out and then starts to swell, developing a bulging shape in the brain. If this ruptures, it can lead to a stroke or other complications. In most cases, it takes one to rupture before it is noticed. If it is found before the rupture, it has to be removed with surgery. This can have significant impacts on your health and is caused by unhealthy habits like smoking or suffering from high blood pressure.
With one in five experiencing depression after a brain aneurysm, this is a higher percentage than depression statistics for the general population. Approximately 5.8 percent of the general population in Singapore experienced some level of depression, compared to 20 percent of brain aneurysm patients.
Emotional recovery is closely linked to the overall healing process. To understand what to expect physically and mentally over time, read our guide to Recovery After a Brain Aneurysm.
Symptoms of Depression
The symptoms of depression aren't always physical signs but also emotional. Below are the differences between the two that can help you identify depression that you or a loved one might be experiencing.
Emotional Symptoms
If someone is experiencing true depression, there will be a few emotional symptoms that you start to notice are pretty consistent.
- Loss of interest
- Moody or irritable
- Always sad
Some of the more severe emotional signs would include feeling hopeless or having thoughts of suicide.
Physical Symptoms
Coming home after experiencing a brain aneurysm, there will be side effects that are related to that and may be hard to identify as depression. One example could be increasing their sleep, as their body is also trying to heal. However, excessive sleeping is a sign of depression. Some of the other signs are more related to depression, and they include the following:
- Changes in appetite or loss of interest in favorite foods
- Always tired and having a lack of energy
If you or a loved one are experiencing emotional or physical symptoms of depression, it may be time to take action.
Pathways to Depression
Not everyone becomes depressed the same way or takes on the same type of depression. Two types develop for these patients who've suffered from brain aneurysms:
- Adjustment disorder with depression mood
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Adjustment Disorder with Depression Mood
If someone is suffering from adjustment disorder with depression mood, it is usually less severe than the other type. It is triggered by the changes in their life following the brain aneurysm. Being diagnosed, undergoing surgery, or even surviving an aneurysm rupturing means that changes are happening in every aspect of your life. This new territory can trigger anxiety and stress that moves into a temporary depression. It is usually directly associated with the event and can be treated so that you or your loved one learns to adapt.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
If someone is experiencing MDD, then they have the majority of the nine classic symptoms of depression. These symptoms develop over time and will last for weeks or months. While there could be a single stress event, it could be something emotional instead of physical that created the depression. This isn't just a change in stress level but often something that is emotionally traumatic as well as physical. Some patients with brain aneurysms may develop the more severe version of depression because it has gone untreated, or other factors in their personal life, combined with this new disorder, have made the depression more severe and longer lasting.
Ongoing follow-up and monitoring can also provide reassurance during recovery. Learn how regular scans and reviews help track your progress in Long-Term Monitoring and Follow-Up Care.
Risk Factors and Influencing Variables
While everyone who's a patient of brain aneurysms can develop depression, there are certain risk factors and variables that make some patients more prone than others.
- Family history of depression
- Sudden life change
- History of mental illness
- Hormone disorders
- Age and gender
Suppose a patient has a family history of depression or a history of mental illness before the brain aneurysm. In that case, there is a higher chance that they may develop a type of depression following this diagnosis. There is also a chance that hormone disorders and those who are affected by their thyroid are at a higher risk of developing depression.
The lifestyle change that comes with a brain aneurysm can put these patients at a higher risk, but women are almost twice as likely to develop depression following this traumatic event than male patients. This is why you or a loved one who may have undergone a brain aneurysm should be monitored regularly and have a strong support system. This can encourage or discourage depression, depending on what type of system they're surrounded with.
Phases of Illness Denial and Acceptance
For those who are experiencing depression, there will be a phase of denial and then a phase of acceptance. They usually start with denial first and lead to acceptance, but it's important to know what these two stages look like.
Denial Phase
If you or someone you care for is in the denial phase, you'll start to notice them blaming their symptoms, both emotional and physical, on the diagnosis or surgery that they experienced. They may be doing this because they aren't sure what's happening or don't want to appear weak. They will appear not to have any issues and attempt to be interested in their hobbies or food when someone is watching.
Acceptance Phase
Once they come to terms with the diagnosis and what that means for their lives moving forward, patients will start to enter the acceptance phase. This is where the support is vital so that they know they have what they need to move forward and start embracing the changes that will happen in their lives.
Steps to Care for Depression and Mental Illness
If you think that someone you love, or even you, may be suffering from depression, then you'll need to reach out to your doctor for a referral. A mental health professional is the right person to help you combat depression through therapy or medication, depending on what works for you.
They can also help you or your loved one take advantage of self-care at home to prevent it from worsening and work to avoid it. This means you'll need regular check-up appointments periodically and know how to access crisis management if you need immediate assistance.
There are practical ways to manage low mood and emotional changes during recovery, including building routines, seeking support, and gradually returning to daily activities. Explore stories and and strategies in our Living with a Brain Aneurysm Series that may help you feel more in control. You may also want to read some useful Coping Strategies After a Traumatic Injury.
Is It Time to Seek Help?
You do not have to navigate recovery alone. Speaking with a healthcare professional, counsellor, or support group can make a meaningful difference during this phase. If you think that you or a loved one who's recently experienced a brain aneurysm is suffering from depression, then it's time to reach out for assistance. We're happy to assist you at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic for a consultation surrounding your brain aneurysm care and treatment.
Knowing the Dangers of a Brain Aneurysm
Dr. Manish Taneja, our brain aneurysm specialist at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, specializes in minimally invasive procedures for conditions such as brain aneurysm. We offer specialized care, prompt attention, and access to advanced imaging technology and procedures.
Understand brain aneurysms’ potential dangers and taking the first step towards seeking proper medical consultation. Learn more about the health indicators and afflictions to defuse this silent, dangerous ticking time bomb. Fortunately, there are minimally invasive treatment options to manage this condition effectively.
Understanding Brain Aneurysms
Brain aneurysms, simply put, are weak spots in the walls of blood vessels in your brain. These weak areas can balloon out and potentially rupture, leading to serious complications. While the exact causes are still being studied, factors like high blood pressure, smoking, and family history can increase the risk.
Consult a Seasoned Brain Aneurysm Specialist
Finding the right doctor is key to your journey towards treatment and recovery. Dr. Manish Taneja has treated thousands of patients and treated brain aneurysms ranging from one milimeter to four centimeters. He has treated a range of ages from the young up to the average age for brain aneurysms of around 35 to 60. Unfortunately, no one can predict a brain aneurysm and also the young and fit are at risk. A brain aneurysm rupture can even cause a young to pass away in their sleep. Stay informed about treatment options and receive a recommended course of action with a seasoned brain aneurysm specialist who can give you a clearer picture of what lies ahead.
Walking Time Bombs
With limited data in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja estimates that one in 100 people in the general community experience the condition in their lifetime. Brain aneurysms can go unnoticed or undetected – until it is too late. It’s when the brain aneurym ruptures, the results are grim. It’s a less talked about condition and one of the reasons we don’t hear much about it is because brain aneurysm is often overlooked by heart disease, ischemic stroke, or breast cancer.
Knowing risk factors for a brain aneurysm is the first step in early detection and treatment:
- Worst headache in life
- Sudden sensitivity to light
- Sudden stiffness of neck
- Sudden sharp pain behind or above one eye
- Sudden blurred or double vision
- Sudden numbness and tingling in facial area
- Sudden loss of consciousness.
- Sudden confusion or change of mental status.
- Seizure
- Perceived “gun shot” noise or extremely loud “BOOM.”
- Drooping eyelid, nausea and vomiting
It’s important to understand the potential dangers of brain aneurysms. A ruptured aneurysm can cause severe bleeding in the brain, leading to a stroke or even death. Even untreated aneurysms can have long-term effects on your health. That’s why regular follow-up care and monitoring are crucial to managing this condition effectively. Read more here about how detrimental a brain aneurysm can be when rupturing.
Consult a Seasoned Brain Aneurysm Specialist
A consultation at our brain aneurysm clinic in Singapore allows for timely intervention and improved outcomes. It's important to receive professional treatment and care in the hands of the right doctor for you or your loved one.
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic offers state-of-the-art care and latest treatment options with brain aneurysm specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja. The newer technologies available for treating brain aneurysms enables him to treat almost all types of brain aneurysms using interventional techniques without open surgery. Arrange your appointment today.
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Explore our brain aneurysm resources. Understanding a brain aneurysm often involves learning across several areas.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our brain aneurysm specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.