My post-transplant depression was due to the trauma of dealing with such a debilitating cancer and treatment. Also, snail-pace recovery was very discouraging for me.

I don’t think my depression was medication related.

My recommendation would be to ask your son’s BMT team for a referral to see a therapist. There are so many things that could be bringing him down, but he needs a therapist who works with transplant patients.

What worked for me was healthy diet, walking, praying and reading. Setting goals that were reachable also helped me see that I was improving.

Hi @leilab1. Just checking in on Alex…and you! I’m expecting now that he’s home you’re seeing a marked improvement in his overall health. He’s moving past the critical stages of recovery. Hopefully his depression is easing a bit too.

Some of the depression signs early in transplant can be confused with the malaise that comes from not feeling well. As he recovers, Alex may start perking up simply by getting better nutrition, exercise and being in a normal environment.

Your son has endured a huge life altering ordeal. With that comes some mental, emotional and physical changes and he may go through a mourning period for what he’s lost. Everything has changed for him. @alive had a good suggestion about getting a referral to a therapist. My team was always asking if I wanted to see someone. I didn’t feel as though I needed it. But even now, 4 years later, I probably did myself a great disservice by not taking them up on the offer. I occasionally have moments of PTSD and reliving a few of the seamier moments of my odyssey. So your son may benefit from having a few sessions.

Is he getting outside and walking around more?