Expected Emotions & Coping Tips People with Spinal Cord Injury “I thought my life was over after I fell and damaged my spinal cord. I couldn’t walk or sit up and I was totally bed ridden for half a year. It was devastating and the lowest point in my life. Thanks to the support and encouragement of my family and the medical and rehabilitation team, I have now gradually accepted my new life and I’m overcoming some of the challenges.” What are the expected emotions? It is common to feel different emotions after a serious injury. They usually come in stages 1. Denial and disbelief. 2. Sadness, anger and bargaining. 3. Acceptance.
Acceptance is the last and most important stage. It is natural to grieve the loss of the way things were before the injury. However, you should also set new goals and find a way to move forward with your life. Once you begin to accept the changes, you can understand your “new normal”. How can I cope with it? • Do not deny your feelings. • Set new goals, especially those that you can see faster results. • Make an effort to be as active as possible. • Pick up a new interest that you have always wanted to do. • Relax and take time out for yourself; get in touch with your feelings. • Reflect on what you have (self, family, assets) and appreciate them. • Confide and speak to someone that you can trust.
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Find at least one thing in the future you can look forward to. Tell yourself that you can still enjoy life despite the injury. Seek professional help if you are unable to handle your emotions.
Dos and Don’ts for caregivers Do • Be sensitive. • Provide a ‘listening ear’ to patient. • Give support when patient is willing to try something new. • Promote self-control and stress management . • Encourage patient to socialise or participate in recreational activities. • Monitor patient’s psychological wellbeing such as sleep pattern, appetite, substance abuse, depression, anxiety and behaviour change. • Arrange patient to seek medical treatment early if necessary. • Treat patient with respect.
Do Not • Make promises you cannot keep. • Commit to things you cannot deliver. • Foster dependency. • Be over involved emotionally. • Ignore the patient when he/she refuses treatment. • Assume that the patient’s adjustment is a fixed pattern. • Ignore the patient if he/she brings up the past, it helps when patient opens up. • Ignore the patient when he/she cries for help especially those with suicidal thoughts. • Say things like “Poor thing”, ”Look at John, he’s able to manage”, “I don’t know how you can bear it, I couldn’t”, “Don’t get upset”, ”Aren’t you great, you do so well.” Whether you are a spinal cord injury patient, a caregiver or a friend; do remember - changing your mindset can make a significant difference for yourself and the people around you. You can make a difference!
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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