Living With Anxiety and Depression After Surgery: What You Need to Know

What if the hardest part of surgery wasn’t physical recovery, but emotional healing? In this episode, Jordan shares his journey with post-surgical depression and anxiety after undergoing open-heart surgery at just 24 years old.

He describes how intrusive thoughts, shame, and hopelessness set in after his operation—and how getting the right diagnosis and treatment (including medication) finally brought relief. Jordan also opens up about living with anxiety, why “calm down” is the worst thing you can say to someone experiencing it, and how curiosity, listening, and silence can be the most supportive responses.

Terri and Dr. Anita also share their own experiences with post-surgical mood changes, highlighting how common and under-discussed they are. This episode is both validating and practical, reminding us that emotional recovery is just as real—and just as important—as physical healing.

Primary Topics Covered

• Jordan’s open-heart surgery at age 24 and its impact on mental health
• The difference between physical and emotional recovery after surgery
• Post-surgical depression (cardiac depression) and how common it is
• Intrusive thoughts, shame, and the link to OCD
• How medication (SSRIs) eased anxiety and intrusive thoughts
• Why “calm down” is not helpful for someone with anxiety
• Better ways to support people living with anxiety or depression
• Terri and Dr. Anita’s own experiences with post-surgical depression
• The importance of recognizing and naming post-surgical emotional struggles

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and welcome
 02:21 - Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand
 03:07 - Jordan’s story: diagnosed with congenital heart condition at 24
 03:36 - The shock of open-heart surgery for a young athlete
 04:21 - Emotional recovery harder than physical recovery
 04:54 - Intrusive thoughts, shame, and depression after surgery
 05:45 - Post-surgical depression: how common it is after heart surgery
 06:32 - Struggles with medical professionals and finding the right psychiatrist
 06:54 - OCD diagnosis, SSRI medication, and relief from intrusive thoughts
 07:36 - Jordan explains what anxiety feels like from the inside
 08:08 - Why telling someone to “calm down” makes things worse
 09:32 - How to truly support someone with anxiety
 11:40 - Misconceptions about asking people about suicide or anxiety
 12:25 - Why talking openly creates safety and connection
 13:56 - Jordan’s closing reflections: self-knowledge and validation
 14:46 - Terri and Dr. Anita share their own post-surgical depression experiences
 17:00 - Closing thoughts and resources

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