Too Much Sleep.....

Satchmo245 · June 2007

My brother unfortunately was hit by a car about 9 months ago and as a result he has some damage to the front of his brain. Apart from affecting his moods the Doctors also told us that he may get depression too. Sadly, it looks as though this is the case. As a result of the accident he had to drop out of college with being in Hospital for 5 months and so he now has nothing to get him out of bed in the morning. He is sleeping until early afternoon somedays getting too much sleep. I'm sure I read that this in itself can be a cause of depression or feeling low (something to do with too little seratonin) and was hoping somebody can confirm this. Also, do you have any strategies or ideas that can get him out and about a bit more. Give him something to wake up for.

Thanks

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog

Anonymous · June 2007

Think you are right there, I saw a documentary a few months back about a guy who had been involved in a similar sort of thing, and unfortunatly had the same happen to him, He ended up going seeing a specialist to monitor his brain activity whilst he was sleeping.

<center>Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.</center>
<center>My Pic's & Stuff</center>

gary_fisher3 · June 2007

After a bad illness I went through a period of depression. I couldn't stay awake (try as I might) for more than a few hours a day and I was so weak I couldn't walk un-aided.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">do you have any strategies or ideas that can get him out and about a bit more<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It was looking after the dog that forced me to get up in the mornings and out and about. At the time I really didn't want to. But looking back now I can see it did me the world of good.

I'm not sure a dogs a good idea; but perhaps some form of outdoor hobby?

j4m · June 2007

I knew a guy who kept sleeping more and more. It ended up that he was suffering from clinical depression and the sleep was one of the signs. It was brought on by him leaving home to go to uni.

I'm no expert, but the things I would consider would be: getting a job, re-applying to college, starting an exercise program.

Satchmo245 · June 2007

Hey guys, thanks for your help. I suppose I should have explained his condition a little better. Other effects of his brain injury are a loss of some control of his left hand and weakness in his left arm. Also he was told not to exercise as this could cause his brain to haemorrhage. A couple of his other major injuries were a broken Pelvis and a broken Fema (which he now has a steel rod holding it together). He is able to walk but with a limp as his pelvis is slightly displaced. As a result any exercise program other than "light exercise" is out of the question which means he can't skateboard which he used to. Also, he was a keen Guitarist and now really struggles with that due to the loss of coordination in his left hand. It's understandable why he is depressed but I'm sure there is something he can do to drag himself out of it. It is funny you should mention dogs. He now likes to take our Dog out with our Father in the evening which he never used to. I might suggest he tries to take them out on his own round the local lake in the Morning. Maybe give him my camera too??

He has re-applied to College but that will not start until the end of September.

It really is a miracle to see him as he is today after what happened to his body and it really pains me to see him like this.

Thanks again

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog

guilliano · June 2007

Any injury like this is bound to cause a level of depression. I was sleeping a lot when I crushed my foot and couldn't even hop to the toilet without agonizing pain due to increased bloodflow into my shattered foot. Not the best example... but I forced myself to go for a pint twice a day, walking on crutches to my favourite pub a mile away from my house to get some light exercise. I saw the pint as a reward for getting up and out.

If he's able to walk then taking the dog out first thing in the morning is a great way to get some light exercise and a very good reason to get up in the morning, walking when there aren't too many people around.

After that, sometimes it can be helpful to write feelings down, especially if he is suffering depression, and then challenging the feelings and negative thoughts in writing. It sort of trains the mind to realise that a lot of the negativity is self inflicted and there is no logical reason for it.

While he is waiting for a new term at college he could do some self study on his chosen subject, get an understanding of what he is going to be studying and keep himself mentally occupied through the day so any depressive tendancies don't have the time to surface

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

ratty2k · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Satchmo245
It is funny you should mention dogs. He now likes to take our Dog out with our Father in the evening which he never used to. I might suggest he tries to take them out on his own round the local lake in the Morning. Maybe give him my camera too??

He has re-applied to College but that will not start until the end of September.

Thanks again

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sounds like a good idea, walking the dog with the camera. Dont know what camera you have, but with a tripod if his hand is unsteady as you say, then there is no problem. And its a good subject to get more involved with- depth of field, appeture settings etc.....
Also you then have the reward of some hopefully very good photos[:)]

I know my dog helped me with my depression, not that she realised it at the time! But as mentioned it forces you to get up and do something. And at this time of year then its great to be outdoors.

My Pics Updated!

Hamishwmb · June 2007

Classically depression is characterised by 2 of three symptoms from pervasive low mood, loss of interests and loss of energy, present predominantly for 2 weeks. Other associated features can include loss of appetite (often with weight loss), loss of sleep, low self esteem, loss of concentration, hopelessness, feeling guilt/shame, loss of libido, amongst others inlcuding thoughts of suicide.

Atypical depression, however is also a common type of depression whereby too much sleep, increased appetite with weight gain and a more reactive mood (i.e. can be happier when doing good stuff) are present instead of the 'usual' opposite. It wouldn't surprise me if that's what is happening with your brother.

Sleep disturbance is an associated feature, but isn't the cause of his depression. The role of serotinin is poorly understood. We know that drugs that increase the levels of serotonin in the brain help depression. That's about it.

I'd try and encourage him to keep active but I'd also recommend that you get him to see the docs again. Sounds like a MAOI could be helpful, although you can't guarantee how much drugs designed to help the brain can work if there is actual damage there. Hopefully he'll be okay. Frontal lobe damage can be difficult for others to deal with as it can effectively change a person's personality.

I'd go with the others good advice. Sorry to hear about your brother's illness. Good luck.

Dr Hamish

Satchmo245 · June 2007

Thanks again guys for your input, I'm going to suggest some of the things to him and see what he thinks. Good idea with the long walk to the pub Guilliano but unfortunately he is only 16. Won't be mentioning that because he probably will! [;)]

Going to give him my camera, just a point and shoot, and try and encourage him to atleast try and use his left hand more. I bought him a drum kit about a month ago to get him to use his left arm more and instead he just plays it with his right arm. He was told by his Doctor that he may have a trapped nerve in his elbow which could be causing this lack of coordination but I'm not so sure. He keeps telling me he will play properly when he has had the operation. I just don't want him to pin all his hopes on this one thing.

Hamish, you are spot on with your diagnosis. He has put on a lot of weight since leaving rehab through his relentless eating. Also, he has definitely not lost his libido! As for his personality; well, everybody notices some difference. He is a nice lad but some of his views stun me. I'm not sure if it's condition or just the fact that he is only 16 years old from a small town. One things for sure, he is VERY argumentative but thats a small price to pay to have him back with us. I just want him to be happy. He is currently taking epilem (sp?) to control his brain activity but he is still undergoing lots of tests and possibly needs his pelvis realligned as it seems to affecting his urine flow so he is seeing plenty of Doctors and Consultants. I'll mention that drug to my Mum so she can ask about it at his next appointment.

Thanks again.

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog

Unknown · June 2007

Too much sleep definitely makes me feel worse.

<center>GT Zaskar LE
GT Ruckus
Me!
MYSPACE<hr noshade size="1">Park Tools - help and instructions for all general bike fixes
Sheldon Brown - info about anything and everything</center>

Hamishwmb · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Satchmo245
Hamish, you are spot on with your diagnosis. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Of course I'm right, I'm a doctor.

[;)]

--

"Hamish, that is one of the most sensible posts i've read on this forum!" - Futureboy 21/05/2007 06:31:46 

Some of my biking photos flickr - The Flying Pie my bike

Satchmo245 · June 2007

Haha, I love it!!! [:D]

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog

Aux1 · June 2007

Hmm, I saw a really good movie, it was a martial arts movie lol but it has a character study and a deep story under it all. It had a similar thing... The main hero does some bad things and loses his family, goes into self-exile and falls into depression. He was found by some villagers, and they took care of him. He was neglecting himself, sleeping all the time and felt really bad. But they made him start working in the fields, and during the course of months he made friends in the village and gradually became a better person and healthy again. When I watched it, it made me feel better because I saw how a man recovers from depression by changing himself for the better and doing honest work in a natural setting.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446059/

Also, I'd take the bro to a psychiatrist, a real medical doctor... And I don't mean loads of counseling, mumbo jumbo and stuff. I went only once a month but it was a definitive help! I was told what to do to get better. But I think the doctor can only point you to the right direction, the real work is on yourself. Maybe the doctor will say to him exactly what he needs to do. This, this and this, and not that. And if he follows it and also uses his own good sense, he will pull through it for sure.

To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...

KTM Ultra Flite 2007

Aux1 · June 2007

And one more thing... There was a guy who had childhood paralysis or something, he had weak arms and legs, a tilted head, walked in a weird manner, was all flimsy, but then he took judo lessons, and it did miracles to him. You could see how many things even a faulty body can do! It strengthened him, rectified his shape a lot, gave him coordination, stability, and of course a lot better mood.

To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...

KTM Ultra Flite 2007

guilliano · June 2007

One bit of advice I've been given by my councillor is to concentrate on your own positives... for instance....

One of the things about me which has been involved in my depression is that I want to help and support everyone around me. When my mum died I tried to do this for my whole family, but never got round to grieving myself. So to concentrate on my supportive nature it's an idea for me to get involved with voluntary support groups, being there for others and offering advice and support to help people who are looking for it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

Satchmo245 · June 2007

Some good advice there, Thanks.

He currently sees an Occupational Therapist every other week so I will ask my Mother to speak to her about my brother seeing a Phsychiatrist. She has been trying to get him to do some work but as he is still recovering he gets mentally tired quite quickly. She was trying to get him doing some volunteer stuff a couple of days a week like forestry and dry stone wall building etc. which I think will be great for him but this was suggested weeks ago and it ain't happened yet. Typical [:(]

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog

guilliano · June 2007

Get him out dirt jump and trail building! Then you benefit too

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

Aux1 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Satchmo245

She was trying to get him doing some volunteer stuff a couple of days a week like forestry and dry stone wall building etc. which I think will be great for him but this was suggested weeks ago and it ain't happened yet. Typical [:(]

<hr noshade size="1">
Of course I'm right, I'm an Engineer!
My Trusty Steed
My Pics! Updated
 Me Blog
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It will be great for him if he has nothing to do at the moment. I remember, I once had to scrape an entire room with sandpaper. A boring, strenuous, filthy job as one would think. I put on some gloves, a dust mask and goggles, and started scraping. Soon I started doing nice shapes with both arms, I just scraped, moved arms, thought about anything and everything, and just seeing the walls go nice and smooth wherever I went made me feel good. My mind started to get clearer, all superfluous thoughts vanished, I got calmer, I also felt my arms are getting a really nice workout too! It was a meditation, in the purest sense of words.

Make him do something like that, if he has no other more pressing matters to attend to. Woodwork, gardening, building, anything like that... But he does have to find the job useful and meaningful. Like, making your mom's garden nice, or your friend's wall in a nice colour, or something like that!

To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...

KTM Ultra Flite 2007

guilliano · June 2007

Wax on, wax off sort of thing?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

Aux1 · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by guilliano

Wax on, wax off sort of thing?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If you're referring to Karate kid when he had to paint a fence and clean cars, yes. Pretty much like that! [:)]

To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...

KTM Ultra Flite 2007

guilliano · June 2007

So Mr Miagi helped you too. He's a good man.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/

Aux1 · June 2007

[:D] Yep! (But I still don't know how to whack people [:D])

However, what is the most important thing for a young person? To have a feeling his/her life is moving forward. He must pursue his education, or try to find a job, do something that will put him nearer to maturity and independence, just standing still while you're young and still have nothing of your own is no good in any way. No gardening or painting walls will help if you feel you're not going anywhere in your life. But it can be a step, if you plan to go to college or find a job after you start feeling a little better...

To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...

KTM Ultra Flite 2007

Too Much Sleep.....

Comments

Categories