How do I adjust to my spinal cord injury? Is depression common after an injury?

Adjustment to paralysis is a process of changing one's thoughts and feelings and is something that takes time. The goal of adjusting is to rebuild one's identity and to find a new balance in relationships. The stages of adjustment can include grieving, taking control, talking about your disability, taking care of yourself, and looking ahead.

Depression is a serious medical disorder that affects your thoughts, feelings, physical health and behaviors as well as other aspects of your life. Depression can cause physical and psychological symptoms. It can worsen pain, make sleep difficult, cause loss of energy, take away your enjoyment of life and make it difficult for you to take good care of your health.

Other symptoms include oversleeping, change in weight, loss of interest or pleasure, and/or negative thoughts. Depression is common in the spinal cord injury population--affecting about 1 in 5 people. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from depression, please speak with your physician. You can also download a free copy of Depression: What You Should Know, A Guide for People with Spinal Cord Injury.

University of Alabama at Birmingham's Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury

Depression and Spinal Cord Injury

American Association of SCI Psychologists and Social WorkersPromote research to improve quality of care and works to improve skills and techniques of members.

Caregiver.comOffers a directory of support groups for caregivers.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationEducates and empowers survivors of spinal cord injury and disease through a toll-free help-line, nationwide chapters and support groups.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationProvides a fact sheet on Autonomic Dysreflexia for people with spinal cord injury.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationProvides support groups and resources by state.

National Spinal Cord Injury AssociationProvides a fact sheet on starting a support group of your own.

NJ Self-Help Group ClearinghouseEnables people to help themselves with self-help groups.

University of Alabama at BirminghamOffers information on the process of adjusting to a spinal cord injury.

Library Books and VideosFind resources within the PRC library catalog.

Quality of Life Grants DatabaseFind resources within the PRC Quality of Life Grants Database. Search by Zip Code, State or an Entire Category.

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Check out programs in your area on our one-of-a kind online searchable Quality of Life program database. You can search by location or topic. GO

The information provided in the Paralysis Resource Center was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number 1U59DD000338 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.