Coping with a life-altering illness or injury is never easy, but healing is possible. With the right support and mindset, individuals can improve their mental and physical well-being and find hope beyond the diagnosis.
After hearing the news of a life-changing illness or injury, you may feel immense grief, anger, confusion and even sadness. It can deeply affect not only your mental and emotional well-being but also the lives of those around you. An unexpected diagnosis can cause severe psychological distress without the right resources and support.
Expressing your emotions and taking steps toward healing are essential to living a healthy and meaningful life.
“Helping to motivate and encourage someone to make small lifestyle changes can improve their quality of life. It’s important to actively listen and meet individuals where they are because implementing educational interventions before someone is ready can create pushback,” said Corrine Fritcher, physical therapist at Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital. “It’s important for patients to seek advice and discuss challenges with someone they feel comfortable with.
Understanding the stages of grief
Illnesses and injuries are an inevitable part of life. Grief is often a result of a significant life change, and the recurrence of emotions can happen more than once when navigating recovery. Everyone copes with their diagnosis differently, but commons stages of grief may include:
- Anger
- Denial
- Anxiety
- Bargaining
- Frustration
- Depression
- Fear
- Acceptance
Recognizing these emotions as part of the recovery process can help you understand your reactions and needs.
What is a life-changing diagnosis?
A life-changing diagnosis can include conditions such as cancer, stroke, brain injury, diabetes or limb loss. These conditions often require major life adjustments in employment, living arrangements, finances and relationships.
Although it can cause psychological challenges in certain areas of life, recovering, building confidence, making connections and ensuring hope for the future is possible.
Why emotional support matters
Emotional support provides tools for resilience. Whether through counseling or peer support groups, you can learn to cope with change more effectively.
“Peer support groups help patients with any questions or coping strategies,” Fritcher said. “It can be inspiring to see others who have overcome obstacles. These groups are valuable to patients with several diagnoses, including amputation, spinal cord injury, stroke or Parkinson’s disease because their lifestyle changes dramatically. Recovery in these cases is often more restorative, requiring emotional and physical adaptation.”
Developing coping strategies
Support from a healthcare provider, caregiver or loved one can help you cope with a diagnosis. It is also important to show yourself some level of grace because it is something you cannot control. Follow these tips to learn how to cope in the time of uncertainty:
- Ask questions about your diagnosis: Medical diagnoses can be challenging to understand and require a clinician to explain their complexities. Ask questions to gain the clarity needed to find the support that is right for you.
- Consider counseling: Counseling from a mental health professional is a supportive tool that helps individuals navigate their emotions. It can help improve your overall well-being and ability to thrive.
- Find a support group: Whether in-person or online, support groups offer connection, resources and encouragement.
- Focus on the positive: Practicing gratitude and using affirmations can reduce negative thoughts and promote healing.
- Manage your stress: Practicing relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety. Adopting a new hobby such as gardening or walking can help mitigate stress.
- Reduce isolation: Sitting in silence after a life-altering illness or injury is normal. However, expressing your emotions with a clinician or caregiver can improve your overall mental well-being.
A holistic approach to recovery
After a life-changing illness or injury, you will need medical care as well as emotional support.
Inpatient rehabilitation can help you cope with a chronic illness or injury by providing intensive therapy and educational and emotional support. It is a holistic approach to recovery that can significantly improve your quality of life.
“Nothing compares to constant, intensive therapy,” Fritcher said. “Inpatient rehab is a vital resource to help individuals re-learn how to mobilize safely with a new diagnosis and to return to activities that are most important to them. It is also an amazing tool for helping individuals re-connect with their community and providing peer resources and support groups to navigate a life-altering diagnosis.”
Choosing an inpatient rehabilitation hospital can improve your mental well-being. You will have frequent visits from physicians, therapists, nurses, dietitians and more, depending on your recovery needs and abilities. The level of care provided will help motivate and encourage you to regain your independence and live a fulfilling life.
Finding hope
As you learn to manage your emotions and recover, it is essential to take advantage of resources that can help mitigate feelings of depression and anxiety. If you need help coping with your diagnosis, use The American Psychological Association (APA) to find a psychologist near you.
Coping with a life-altering illness or injury is never easy, but healing is possible. With the right support and mindset, individuals can improve their mental and physical well-being and find hope beyond the diagnosis.
