Medical trauma whether it’s a result of a life-changing injury, painful process like invasive surgery or intubation, or long-term illnesses (stroke, cancer, and heart disease) is hard to cope with. How do you recover from the physical, psychological, and emotional issues tied to it? You may have PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, anger, and depression. Tasks you’ve always done with ease like walking, typing, or preparing a meal, can feel daunting. In a series of published studies in the National Library of Medicine, one shows that 85% of patients diagnosed with trauma after an injury had limited capacity to work. Being unable to work triggers feelings of hopelessness, making your emotional wounds deeper. Don’t lose hope though. You can regain independence if you know what to focus on for trauma recovery. Below we’ll explore how to rebuild your confidence and freedom following a scary health crisis. Continue reading.
Realistic Goals Win
Having goals that align with your present situation and abilities is a smart move. After all, when healing from broken bones or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for instance, activities you once did quickly can be tiresome. Part of your goal setting strategy will involve defining what independence means following a health scare. Instead of wanting to do everything solo, being independent could mean getting back control. Or having the confidence to decide for yourself while using adaptive tools and accepting help from supportive groups. Next, set objectives based on activities that matter most. Whatever goal you wish to pursue, be specific about it. For example, you could aim to walk 100 steps without a mobility device rather than say you want to get better. If you want to return to work, start by finishing a simplified job-related task first.
Learn Adaptive Skills
Life may change when you experience medical trauma. You can be forced into new environments that require you to function differently than before. To cope, you need to be adaptable. Here’s where learning adaptive skills is crucial. When you master self-care (grooming, exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness), while managing chronic pain, for example, you can assume personal responsibility with little or no help. Developing adaptive abilities also helps you anticipate and prepare for emergencies. This includes getting yourself a red medical warning dog tag.
The purpose of red dog tags is to provide critical information about the wearer’s health conditions and allergies. Consider this: a fire or storm destroys your home, leaving you unconscious or unable to communicate. Medics can look at your red dog tag to know your name, age, medical condition, and allergies so they can provide the right medical care to save your life. On top of having a red medical dog tag, create a support or buddy system that knows how to assist in times of disaster. And have an emergency kit ready with extra medical supplies, a blanket, non-perishable food, water, contact details of family or close friends, and a battery-powered radio.
Assistive Tools Are Your Friend
How do you engage fully in activities when a disease or injury has left you with mobility, hearing, or speech impairment? From canes to motorized wheelchairs, hearing aids, voice assistants, and adaptive eating equipment, assistive devices promote the quality of life for those with disabilities and painful diseases. For example, voice-activated systems, such as Google’s Assistant and Alexa give you maximum control of security systems, appliances, and lights using voice commands. This limits the need to move around if you have mobility impairment. What about wheelchairs or grab bars? They allow you to navigate from one point to another.
Is it possible to have an independent life once you’ve encountered a health scare? Pain, anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts can prevent you from doing things you love. But with patience and goals set to match your current needs you can live independently. Alongside goals, master skills for adaptability and use assistive devices to cope with the sudden changes.