Understanding the Mental Impact of a Physical Injury

The pain from the injury can make patients irritable, withdrawn, distant from friends and family, and, in some extreme instances, give up on life altogether.

The mental aspect of physical injury is often overlooked. But, according to a paper submitted to the National Library of Medicine, injured patients are at a higher risk of suicide. Even more worryingly, patients previously admitted for unintentional injuries are at a five times greater risk of taking their own lives.

These alarming statistics show why more attention needs to be directed to understanding the mental impact of a physical injury on patients.

Physical injury and mental health

Research has shown that injuries cause mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

In many cases, it affects a patient's social life as mobility is limited, and they cannot participate in activities that make them happy. Seeing others live how they used to can cause anger and bitterness. There is also a high likelihood that PTSD will trigger nightmares and flashbacks from the traumatic event that led up to the injury.

Symptoms

The pain from the injury can make patients irritable, withdrawn, distant from friends and family, and, in some extreme instances, give up on life altogether.

Mental health issues also delay or prevent the effectiveness of any treatment. Mood swings and volatile emotions can be debilitating. To promote a faster recovery, the patient needs to be in a positive state of mind, which is difficult for someone who has any mental illness. The disorder makes them unmotivated to participate in their treatment or cooperate with medical practitioners.

The way out

Proper rehabilitation is necessary to treat the physical injuries and address the emotional, mental, and cognitive issues. A good rehabilitative strategy will include educating the patient about their injury and recovery. For instance, some patients might be uncooperative because they believe their condition will never improve. Therefore, knowing their recovery progression will go a long way in assuring them that that isn't the case.

Patience and understanding

Carers must be patient and understanding when dealing with injured patients. They will likely not trust their carers immediately and need time to build a productive relationship. Actively listening, building a friendship, and interacting with them will go a long way in earning that trust. For instance, a common issue in injured athletes is a bruised ego, so carers must recognize that and tailor their approach accordingly.

Consult with a licensed practitioner

There is only so much a physical therapist can do in treating mental health issues. Therefore, a mental health practitioner must be involved in any treatment program. This combined approach offers a higher chance of properly rehabilitating the patient's mental and physical health.

If you are looking for occupational or physical therapy, vestibular rehab, wheelchair training, learning to walk, unweighting aquatic therapy, or other services in the Phoenix area, please call Touchstone Rehabilitation at 602-277-1073.