12 Ways To Stay Positive While Recovering On Crutches 

Adam from World Crunches shared that a close relationship exists between physical injury and mental health. This reality is supported by research, which concludes that a severe injury can trigger mental problems like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Such a conclusion indicates that recovery from a severe injury is not just a physical process but also a mental one.

If your injury has left you in crutches, and you are struggling mentally, this article is for you. We focus on ways to stay positive and take care of your mental health while recovering. Before exploring different methods of dealing with anxiety and depression during recovery, we look at how a physical injury affects mental health.

Effects Of Physical Injury On Mental Health

In an article about how being injured affects mental health, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) suggests that “the psychological response to injury can trigger or unmask serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and substance use or abuse.” The NCAA describes itself as “a member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes.”

Some emotional responses listed by the NCAA include:

  • Sadness
  • Isolation
  • Irritation
  • Lack of motivation
  • Anger
  • Frustration
  • Changes in appetite
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Disengagement

 

 

Any mental issues triggered by an injury will subside over time. However, sometimes the challenges linger for extended periods, leaving the affected individual with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The not‐for‐profit provider of healthcare services and information, MayoClinic.org, defines PTSD as “a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.” The same source adds that “Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.”

To read the entire article, click here.

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