MANAGING EMOTIONAL SHOCK AND STRESS
Some practical tips for coping in the immediate aftermath of an injury:
Take it one day at a time: Try not to dwell on distant futures (“Will I/they ever walk? Will they ever have kids?”) in the first week. Focus on each day’s hurdles – ICU survival, successful surgery, etc. Get support for yourself: If the hospital has a counsellor or social worker, talk to them about how you feel. They often can connect you with resources, or even just listen. Sharing your fears and sadness with a professional or a trusted friend can be a relief. Take breaks and look after your basics: It’s easy to want to stay at the hospital 24/7. But remember to eat, stay hydrated, and sleep when you can. You won’t be any help if you collapse from exhaustion. Trade off with other family members to ensure someone rests at any given time. Use your support network: Let family and friends help – whether it’s bringing you meals, taking care of your kids at home, or just lending an ear. People generally want to help; it’s not a burden to accept it. Avoid information overload at first: The internet has tons of info, some scary, some outdated. It might help to assign one person to do research and filter it. Stick to reliable sources (major hospital websites, SCI associations) and remember each case is unique. Hope and realism: It’s okay to hope for the best, but also prepare for the possibility that life is going to be different. The doctors might not give you a firm “will he walk again” answer immediately. Over time, you’ll get a clearer picture. Try to balance hope with realistic expectations so that you’re not crushed by every bit of bad news. For many families, hope comes from seeing small improvements or simply from knowing their loved one survived such a catastrophic injury. It’s very important to realise you are not alone. Hospitals might be able to connect you with a peer mentor – perhaps a person with a spinal injury or a family member who can talk to you and share how they got through the early days. Talking with someone who truly understands can be incredibly comforting. Also, if you find yourself or your loved one dealing with intense anxiety, panic, or depression, ask for a psychologist or counsellor – emotional care is part of the overall treatment after SCI. In summary, the immediate stage after SCI is about medical and emotional stabilisation. Don’t rush yourself to “be strong” or “be okay”—this is a traumatic event for everyone involved. Take care of immediate needs, gather information gradually, and lean on professionals and friends for support. The road ahead is long, but you will not travel it alone.
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” Christopher Reeve
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IMMEDIATE ACTIONS AFTER A SPINAL CORD INJURY
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