Suffering an unexpected physical injury can affect your life in numerous ways, including relationships and your career. The adjustment of living with limitations during your recovery can take a toll on your emotional state.
If you experienced a severe physical injury, you might never live the same again. As a result, you may gradually develop mental illnesses because of the emotional trauma of your situation.
Changes to independence
One of the biggest challenges of a physical injury is the impact it can have on your independence. Its effect on your ability to move and take care of yourself will vary depending on your injury. A loss of independence could last temporarily or it could permanently change your life.
Being unable to function at the capacity you were before your accident can have detrimental effects on your mental health. You might have concerns about being a burden to your caretakers. You could feel frustrated about having to take time away from work. You may have a strong desire to do the active things you enjoy, but lack the physical strength or health to do them. As a result, you might develop depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
Adjustment to condition
Even if you will eventually make a full recovery, it will take time to adjust to your current condition. According to psychreg.org, an immediate response to your physical injury may prevent the development of mental illness. Flashbacks of your accident, insomnia, intrusive thoughts and trigger events could all interfere with your recovery.
Working with a therapist is one option to consider. You can learn about resources to help you cope with the challenges of a physical injury. Having the support of people who care about you might facilitate your recovery and give you the optimism you need to maintain a realistic perspective.
Guarding your mental health as carefully as your physical health during recovery can help you prevent the long-lasting effects of your accident.
