When a motor vehicle accident leaves you with catastrophic injuries, you may feel alone or singled out because of all the different changes that come with the injury. While amputation can save a person’s life, it also causes drastic changes to how you live and perceive yourself.
According to the National Library of Medicine, losing a limb disrupts your way of life and can impact various relationships.
What should you expect after amputation?
Many people experience depression, anxiety and loss of self-esteem after an accident resulting in a limb loss. You might find yourself worried about your future because you cannot continue forward with your current job. Additionally, you may fear the social stigma. You do not want people to look at you as weak or powerless or stare because of your appearance.
It is normal to fear the future and to worry about how others perceive you. It is also typical to grieve the loss of your limb. Amputation is a significant operation with severe consequences. However, it is also essential for doctors to help prepare you for the psychological impact of amputation.
How can you cope with the loss of a limb?
Along with the amputation procedure, patients require counseling and rehabilitation. Physical rehabilitation teaches you how to regain your independence. You learn how to function within your environment, in some cases with the use of mobility aids. In addition to physical rehabilitation, you may also require vocational rehabilitation to learn new skills or focus on different job opportunities if you can no longer work in the field you previously did.
After amputation, it is critical to have a support system to guide you through the experience.