Depression after heart surgery is a very common thing. It’s one of those things I wish I had known about before I had heart surgery. It never crossed my mind that I would feel down and blue after my bypass surgery. However, that’s exactly how I found myself feeling once I was discharged from the hospital.
Your Feelings Are Normal
It’s important to remember that these feelings are very normal. You’ve just been through major surgery. Your life will be a little different now. You may have to be dependent on others for a little while, and this is something that is difficult for me. Feeling scared and anxious is to be expected. Frustration is also normal. What you have to keep in mind is that your recovery will be slow, but you WILL eventually be able to get out and enjoy life again. Depression after heart surgery doesn’t have to last forever.
Talk with People
The worse thing you can do after having heart surgery is to isolate yourself. Accept visitors if you feel up to it. If you find yourself having symptoms of depression after heart surgery, talk about it to someone you trust. Crying is also OK. Just don’t bottle up your feelings, thoughts, and fears. There are also many forums and groups on social media for heart surgery patients so you can connect with others.
Ease Into Routine
Easing back into your daily routine is a good way to start feeling a little normalcy. Your sleep pattern may be off, but if you can try waking at your normal time, it helps. Have breakfast. Shower if you can. You won’t be able to do everything all at once, but it will slowly become easier.
Don’t Just Sit There
Studies show that physical activity helps reduce stress and gets those happy juices flowing in your brain. Likely, you will be sent home with doctor’s orders to walk for a few minutes each day. It will be tempting to go home and hunker down because exercise will be very tiring at first. However, physical activity is a great way to help ward off depression after heart surgery.
Tell Your Doctor
If you feel like nothing you are doing is helping your mood, talk to your doctor. It is more than OK to reach out for help. It’s very likely you will be warned about depression after heart surgery before you leave the hospital. Your doctor expects you to feel a little blue. Again, it’s very common. There should be no shame in asking for help.
Although you have had heart surgery and might be down for the count at the moment, it doesn’t last forever. Every single day that passes, you are getting a little stronger. It may seem like it’s taking forever, but being good to yourself and giving yourself time to heal is so important.
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