Depression after Spinal Cord Injury

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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Depression may happen right away or develop weeks or months after the injury. You may feel sad, angry, or guilty as you adjust to the effects of the injury. Some medicines used to treat the injury may also cause depression.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You think about hurting or killing yourself.

Call your doctor or therapist if:

• You are not able to cope with normal daily activities.
• You do not want to eat, or you are eating more than usual.
• You are not able to sleep well, or you are sleeping more than usual.
• You feel anxious, restless, angry, or you have a panic attack after starting antidepressant medicine.
• You feel that you are becoming depressed again after starting antidepressant medicine.
• You cannot make it to your next visit.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

The following resources are available at any time to help you, if needed:

• Contact a suicide prevention organization:
  • For the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
    • Call or text 988
    • Send a chat on https://988lifeline.org/chat
    • Call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
  • For the Suicide Hotline, call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)
• For a list of international numbers: https://save.org/find-help/international-resources/

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Cymbalta
• Lexapro
• Zoloft
• Wellbutrin XL
• Prozac

View more treatment options

Medicines:

• Antidepressants may be given to decrease or manage symptoms. They usually take several weeks to start working. You may need to take antidepressants for up to 1 year. If you have had more than 2 past episodes of major depression, you may need to use antidepressants longer. Several kinds of antidepressants are available. It may take some time to find the one that works best for you.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Manage depression:

• Go to therapy, if directed. Therapy is a way for you to talk with healthcare providers about how you feel. This can be done alone or in a group. It may also be done with family members or a significant other.
• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, and cooked beans. A dietitian can help you create a healthy meal plan.
• Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques. Meditation or deep breathing can help you relax, decrease stress, and helps you focus on positive thoughts. Mindful activities can also help you manage your emotions.
• Join a support group. It may be helpful for you to talk with others who have similar conditions. Tell your healthcare provider, family, or friends about your feelings. Your provider can give you resources to help you cope.

Follow up with your therapist or doctor as directed:

Tell your therapist or doctor about side effects or problems you may be having with your depression medicine. Sometimes the kind and amount of medicine may have to be changed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

For support and more information:

• National Spinal Cord Injury Association
  1 Church Street, Suite 600
  Rockville , MD 20850
  Phone: 1- 800 - 962-9629
  Web Address: www.spinalcord.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6200, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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