Something that not many prosthetics and orthotics companies mention is that limb loss may trigger a psychological reaction to something akin to grief. This is quite common, and, the great news is, it can be overcome!
There are multiple ways to deal with this grief or depression, and your prosthetist will give you the right tools and resources to do so (for both patients and those closest to them). These are the (perfectly normal) stage of grief that some might experience before and after amputation.
Denial
Denial in this instance can come in the form of refusing to accept that the amputation is going to happen, or even refusing to talk about it once it has happened. A patient may feel that if they refrain from acknowledging it, some of the emotions that overwhelm them will simply disappear.
Anger
Limb loss or the potential thereof may lead to angry questioning: “Why is this happening to me?”, etc. This can often come out in bouts of frustration towards friends and family. The patient may also be feeling frustrated with their progress. Each person will adapt to their amputation at different levels, so it’s important to stay patient with yourself.
Bargaining
Humans naturally tend to overthink and overanalyse. Amputees may delay a surgery, even if it is the best course of action.
Depression
Amputees may develop depression before or after the procedure and feel as though they want to give up.
Acceptance
This stage may take some time to reach, and a patient could revert back to any of the aforementioned stages. Many patients will feel acceptance fully once they are fitted with their artificial limb and able to move around freely again.
Although these stages are common, patients always differ. In the midst of any of these stages and anything else the patient might be feeling, it’s important for those is closest to them to remain supportive and understanding. While your prosthetist will guide you through the process, there are multiple support groups and online forums with like-minded people going through similar experiences.
For more advice on amputation and prosthetics, contact us.