extreme mood swings,anger, rage, depression

[nxtlvl15]

I am experiencing extreme mood swings, uncontrollable anger, rage, and severe depression. I will be fine one minute and the next I have to lock myself in a dark room away from everyone for days and just sleep. This behavior is definately taking its toll on my wife and kids, because the get the brunt of what I'm feeling. I was fine until I broke my neck Feb 2010 (C2,3,4,5) while playing pro football. The surgeons performed a successful anterior cervical fusion, but had doubts of whether or not I would ever walk or gain use of extremities. Since, I have worked very hard through physical and occupational therapy and have regained the use of my extrimities. My hands, feet, and lower back are completely numb, but you will never hear me complain about that, I have learned to live with it. However I feel that the injury has affected me mentally, maybe nerves which stimulate the brain???  Can anyone help? Maybe someone else has had this same trauma and experience this behavior?? Unfortunately I dont have insurance any longer, so to be honest I cant afford to see a specialist. Thanks

[Effeh]

Because of your accident it has affected you mentally, maybe because of the pain or the trauma of the thoughts that you were never going to walk again. You may need to try and get some sort of help like a therapist, because no matter how much it is you can get medicine and things will soon get better.

[freddie8605]

My friend went from a healthy, happy young man to after his car crash and broken C6,and 7 with a bruised spinal cord and unable to move/feel his hands and anything from his chest down. He would cry and cry and would normally have 2 good days then one bad one. It is such a change in everything, have to have people feed you, being put in a coma and be on a ventilator, he couldn't even bath on his own, i think with that change and lack of control plus the trauma of the accident it is only normal to get depressed but if it stays for too long or becomes to bad then i think you should get help by even seeing you local doctor, and talking to friends/family and a therapist if you can afford it. Money and all these changes is massive change. But i have to say it sounds like you have been through a lot and you must be very determined and strong willed as you sound like you have make big positive changes after you accident. can i just say well done, i watch and see how hard it is.

I wish you the best for you and your family.

[rls27]

Part of this may be related to having to abruptly give up something you loved because of a career ending injury. To suddenly have the rub pulled out from under you and not be able to participate in something you were passionate about has to be taking it's toll. Fate has dealt you a crappy hand. You were once a strong healthy athelete, who is now learning to adjust to living with pain and the loss of a career.

Have you been able to work since your injury? If so, are you doing something you enjoy or something that you are satisfied with for now? If not, are you able to work, and do you have any ideas of what you'd like to do? Have you considered pursuing a career as a personal trainer or something in sports medicine so you can still be a part of the sport you loved so much? What are your options for now and the future?