Hello enableme member

We know that depression is common after stroke - up to two thirds of people will feel depressed at some stage in their recovery.

The World Health Organization recently recognised the impact that depression and anxiety has on the global community and made the theme of World Health Day Depression: Let's talk.

Accessing peer support and talking to others that 'get it' can be important part of understanding and managing your feelings and emotions. Shelagh, a much loved member of the enableme community has shared a blog about her experience with depression and David has shared a song he has written.

In this newsletter we look into depression and anxiety and what helps:

• medication
• psychological therapies
• lifestyle
• social connection and support.

In the next enableme newletter we will continue to explore how to manage depression and anxiety by delving into relationships and self-image, and share our new podcast about dealing with depression and anxiety after stroke.

Thanks to our podcast partner Allergan and bonus podcast partner Nestle we've been able to record nine podcasts to help your recovery.

The podcasts cover different aspects of recovery from neuroplasticity to fear, aphasia, fatigue, sex and more.

They've have been played nearly 6,500 times and we look forward recording many more for you.

Click here for the full list of enableme podcasts.

The next podcast will be about depression and anxiety featuring young survivor Luke Webb and Associate Professor Maree Hackett, Acting Director of the Neurological and Mental Health Division of the George Institute for Global Health in Sydney. 

Forums:

• From Jenny: I have a problem with excessive saliva. Has anyone dealt with this?
• Marcus: A good article - Aphasia
• Bill: Reducing Fatigue with Food
• Marcus: Great Job by Jeff Sebell
   

For all conversations click here

Blogs:

• Shelagh: World Health Day - Depression
• Carol: The Legal Side of Things
• Paul: My Angiogram
• Shelagh: Sensory overload. My own experience
   

For all blogs click here

Ask a question:

• Karina: Is it safe to fly in an aeroplane after having recently having a stroke?
• Recovery17: Is it ok to have massage and acupuncture after a stroke?
• Kimnott: How do we cope with secretions that is keeping the stroke victim awake all night?
• Lyndsey: My Mum has global aphasia - we need some help!

Click here for questions asked by your fellow community members. Perhaps you can contribute some of your own experiences, learn something new or ask a question?

We’re becoming more open, as a community, to conversations about depression. This is welcome change considering how common depression really is. On average, One in five Australian women and one in eight Australian men will experience depression. For stroke survivors the incidence of depression is even higher.

Having a stroke is a life-changing event. It can change how you feel about yourself and your future. Changes to responsibilities, relationships, work and finances can cause stress and sadness. The impact of stroke on the brain can also cause personality, mood and emotional changes. All this means there is a strong link between stroke, depression and anxiety. Click here to read more.

Shelagh recently shared her experence with managing depression in a blog called Four years post stroke - no depression, just happiness. She says "As Easter beckons and I move towards my four year 'stroke anniversary' on Easter Saturday, I still pinch myself to think how far removed I am from being depressed. My life really is wonderful at last and I could not wish for anything better.

I still shock myself to think how I have turned my life around from being a Private Investigator, with a busy brain, to a desperate, depressed stroke survivor and now a successful author, Stroke Safe Ambassador and passionate stroke advocate."

Read Shelagh's blog here.

Karren's song

If someone is facing a major life challenge and all the practical things that could be done, have been done, what can you offer them? Remind them they are not alone?

Read more about David on enableme.

Too much stress can have a negative impact on health, so carers (like everyone else) need to maintain regular exercise, a balanced diet, regular sleep and rest and relaxation. Other useful strategies to work on include problem-solving on major issues, investigating and altering irrational beliefs, stress-reducing self-talk and meditation.

Carers and family members can find themselves at the breaking point. A carer needs to be aware of the cumulative effects of daily stressors and use strategies to reduce the impact of stress.

Click here for more.

Remember if you need help, or have tips to help us improve enableme, we would love to hear from you at enableme@strokefoundation.org.au

We look forward to assisting you in your recovery and helping you to live your life well after stroke.

Many thanks,
 

Diana Kerr | Online Community Coordinator
National Stroke Foundation | Level 7, 461 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
T +61 3 9670 1000 |StrokeLine: 1800 787 653