Depression after LVAD: How Patients and Caregivers Can Find Relief

Making a decision to have a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implant must have been a tough decision for you, but that’s not the end here. Getting an LVAD is often described as a second chance, but let’s be honest, it can completely change your life, and change is not something that we always accept. Have you ever thought about the physical or psychological challenges that come with an LVAD? You might have expected the challenge of handling the device, but what makes it even more complicated is how you feel about it.

The worst part is that we ignore the mental health of not just the LVAD patient but also the caregivers, who also suffer emotionally. And that part? It does not get talked about enough. 

We understand that survival is not enough, and you deserve to feel more supported and hopeful when you are carrying emotional baggage. Caregiver or patient, mental health is equally important, so let’s break the ice and get into this, because this needs to be addressed. 

Why is depression common among LVAD Patients and their Caregivers?

Imagine waking up every single day with panic just because a medical device is attached to you and dealing with never-ending thoughts about what if something goes wrong with batteries, alarms, and wires? Or, maybe, you are the caregiver who finds it difficult to provide support without being exhausted. That is a different kind of weight with 24/7 responsibility, where burnout can occur anytime. Trust me, you are not exaggerating, and if you don’t do anything about it, you will face severe mental health issues. 

For patients, the dependency of life on a mechanical pump brings grief for the life they had before. When dealing with all of this, depression after LVAD becomes more common than people may think. But you know the thing, acknowledging your feelings and accepting that something is wrong is the first step toward healing.

Consequences of Dealing with Depression after LVAD:

You need to understand why it is necessary to take action before you can’t take it anymore. Here are a few things that may happen if you don’t take the right steps to deal with your depression. 

Emotional arousals:

When you have so much on your plate, even the smallest thing can trigger a big emotional response. You feel fine at one fine moment, and then in the very next moment, you are overwhelmed with anger and frustration. Imagine you have to manage all these while still taking care of the LVAD device. 

Compromised Relationships:

When you are not thinking straight, nothing around you will feel normal. Right? Dealing with depression not only affects you, but it also changes your relationship with your partner, friends, and family. You desire less intimate moments with your partner and often get misunderstood by family. According to a study, depression affects both people in a couple in how they communicate, either verbally or emotionally.

Living in Constant Fear:

You start to live in a constant fear with constant noise that asks you what if the device fails. What if the wire gets tangled? These thoughts continue to live in your mind, and do not let them shut down, which affects your sleep, choices, and your peace of mind.

Suicide Attempts:

Some LVAD patients get so frustrated that they start to have suicidal thoughts. This is a tough one, but it is real. At this stage, you might start to feel hopeless to such an extent that you find it easy to just take your life instead of asking for help. We understand that this is heartbreaking, but with the right support and awareness, you can overcome it.

Difficulty in Acceptance:

Adjusting your life after an LVAD is not easy, and many of us can easily go into a denial stage instead of acceptance. You hardly accept the ‘new normal’ of your life after LVAD, when you are still grieving the life you had before. 

Compromised Functional Capacity:

Your mental health reflects on your physical health, which means depression can make a task a lot harder, no matter how simple it is. Getting dressed, staying active, and participating in activities that you previously enjoyed no longer feel thrilling.

Poor Life Quality:

It is hard to say if poor life quality after an LVAD is the reason for depression, or if it’s the other way round. In any of the cases, only you suffer emotionally, physically, and socially.

No matter where you are in your journey, it is always worth trying to improve when it comes to your well-being. You are important, and everything you feel should be acknowledged.

How can you manage depression after having an LVAD?

Your depression does not define you, and you just need to find ways to overcome your depression. So, reach out, ask for help, and find better ways to make yourself you again. Here is how we can help you in your journey to overcome depression after LVAD.

Asking for Help:

The hardest step to take is asking for help, which may be your first one also. You don’t show your vulnerable side when you ask for help; in fact, it is your core strength that provides you with the support you deserve. Talk with your doctor, friend, or caregiver and take the step towards healing.

Counselling:

Having someone who listens to you without judgment? Sounds great. However, a professional’s counselling can better help you to process your emotions that come with living with an LVAD. 

Supporting Communities:

We often don’t talk to people if we think they cannot understand our pain. But what do you think of a person who is living in the same situation? Get support from the LVAD community and discuss ideas and ways that can help make your life better. 

Necessary Lifestyle Adjustments:

Mental health also improves when you take care of your activity level and diet. These small changes can make a big impact, so sleep better, eat more nutritious, balanced meals, and stay moderately active. 

Use LVAD-specific clothing:

Living in a fast-paced world means you have a solution to every problem because people just don’t wait for the problem to end. Instead, they work to make their life easier. LVAD-specific clothing or LVAD gear is an example, which helps you to carry and accommodate LVAD device components, so that you can move freely with peace of mind.

Informed decision:

It’s in our nature that we can manage things more easily if we already know every single detail about them. Let’s say before getting an LVAD, you asked questions, learn about your device, discussed your concerns, and found ways to carry device components better. The thing is, when you know the possibility of a minor convenience happening, you can act on it without fear and panic. It can go a long way in reducing your depression.

Medications:

Sometimes, when you struggle, your doctor will prescribe you antidepressants, but only if it’s suitable for you. However, treating depression only with medications and no support may not benefit you for a long time. 

How does your informed decision help in reducing depression after an LVAD?

Making an informed decision not only helps you accept facts, but it’s about feeling in control of your life again. If you previously knew about the LVAD device completely, you will make up your mind and prepare yourself beforehand. It ultimately reduces your fear and uncertainty.

When you make choices with confidence, it is less likely to cause depression. And as a caregiver, when you are aware of the things you are going to deal with in the future, you will prepare yourself mentally to avoid burnout.

How does the right LVAD Apparel matter?

After LVAD, one of the major things that can make you depressed is losing control over your life. Suddenly, you are more dependent on your family, and it is understandable to grieve over things you are no longer able to do. What if we say you can still do most of those things you used to like? Yes, it will be different, but it does not mean it cannot be meaningful and accomplished.

LVAD accessories have made life easier than ever by giving you the support of being independent and active whenever and however you want. After complete recovery, you can participate in exercise while the LVAD vest perfectly accommodates your device in discreet pockets that are only designed to carry the controller and batteries. The LVAD sleeping belt improves your sleep quality by lowering your fear of tugging on the driveline. And things like sleep and active life are linked to mental health. This is why wearing the right LVAD shirt and tank top greatly matters when you are still managing to adapt to your new life.

Benefits for Caregivers:

When you are a caregiver, it can be draining for you to care for the LVAD device components and give emotional support to your loved one with LVAD all the time. You don’t have to worry about device mishaps, tangled wires, or tugging on the driveline when you change dressing, plan to travel, or just encourage the patient to participate in exercise.

With your loved one feeling more independent and confident, your stress levels naturally drop too. 

Final Thoughts:

We understand LVAD changes your life completely, but that does not mean you have to lose control over it. Change does not always come smoothly, but it can cause depression, fear, and even burnout. But the good news is, you can manage this with the right support system, informed choices, professional help, and LVAD-specific clothing. 

FAQs

What is the most common complication of LVAD?

The most common complications of LVAD are infection and bleeding. This may occur due to medications that are used to prevent blood clot formation due to the LVAD pump, or improper management of the driveline exit site.

What is life like after an LVAD?

Many patients deal with a compromised quality of life after an LVAD, but with the right support from family, doctor, and the LVAD gear, one can still live a different normal life.

How long can a person live after an LVAD?

A person with an LVAD can live for many years, even more than a decade. But it can vary for each patient because of their unique medical and individual factors. 

How long does it take to recover from an LVAD?

Recovering from an LVAD surgery may take 8 to 12 weeks, but it may take time to adjust lifestyle after an LVAD and manage the device safely.