Those recovering from spinal cord injuries have a lot of difficult physical issues to deal with. However, in addition to the physical toll that such an injury takes, is an emotional toll as well. If your loved one is a spinal cord injury survivor, they may be experiencing negative emotions. While this might seem alarming to you, keep in mind that it is normal. Your loved one’s life has just changed drastically, and they need to adjust to their new life. On this page, I will talk more about common emotions that spinal cord injury survivors may experience, what is normal, what’s not, and how to help.
Common Emotions
Spinal cord injuries are extremely traumatic events. Your loved one may exhibit a range of emotions which might be alarming to you and your family. But remember that your loved one is going through something very difficult, and a negative reaction is natural.
One common emotion that your loved one may experience is denial. Your loved one may seem fairly positive and talk about getting better or avoid talking about their injury. If this is the case, they may be in denial. If your loved one faces denial in this process, you can help them by gently bringing up the subject of their injury. Helping your loved one face their injury will ultimately help them to accept it and move on.
On the other hand, your loved one may express a lot of anger about what happened. They may lash out at you, their medical team, and other people. Serious injuries such as paralysis can leave a person feeling helpless, and they may become angry in an attempt to control something in their life. If your loved one seems angry about what happened, try to be supportive. While it can be difficult to be on the receiving end of unwarranted anger, try to help them through this. Listen, be supportive, and encourage your loved one one to find healthy outlets for their emotions.
Another very common emotion at this time is depression. Your loved one may become overwhelmed by how much their life has changed, and how many things they cannot do. This may cause them to give up and not try at all. Depression is definitely something that you should watch out for because it is very common, especially immediately following an injury. If you suspect that your loved one could be depressed, seek medical help immediately. If your loved one is still regularly being treated by medical professionals, they may be able to spot signs of depression as well.
Helping Your Loved One
Your loved one is going through a huge change. It is natural for them to feel sad, angry, depressed, or just avoid facing what has happened. The best thing that you can do for your loved one is be supportive at this time. Seeking professional help is also a good idea if your loved one is facing serious emotional issues as a result of their injury. For more information on getting professional help, you can contact me.
