Post by Lαrα on May 1, 2014 2:57:27 GMT -8
I guess this is a question in as much as information as opinions may differ but its so worth exploring
During medical clinical trials many people show notable improvements which i imagine can only be put down to the attitude of the individual feeling themselves to be benefit.
I know we often get told that with Spinal Cord Injury we have a window of opportunity for expected recover of 2 years but more and more i am hearing that this is and can be longer.
Personally this has been the case for myself. I became much stronger during 2013...i was hugely motivated and i set myself a goal to become as strong and mobile as i could. To be honest i surprised myself...that year in march I was at my 2 years and i know i experienced improvements after that month.
It was general and i gained more strength too...the only thing that made no improvement was the altered sensation. I guess that no amount of work i put in could alter that (for me at least).
We should never get set in our minds with this 2 years improvement benchmark because its too limiting....I believe its so important and possible to improve after this period. ..we just have to keep working hard at it.
Just imagine how many people must get near to their two years mark and start to work less....
So many people when the find themselves living with the daily pressures of living with SCI experience depression...this HAS to effect their recovery?
I read an article earlier on a study that looked at this..it was noted that psychological state of mind and depression can affect recovery especially as depression affects the body so much and can add further health complications.
This is an extract from the document:
Unfortunately, little has changed today. We need to determine the prevalence of people with SCI who develop despondency or mild depressive disorder (eg. elevated negative psychological states) as distinct to a major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymia or possibly adjustment disorder.
We also need to determine how many people with SCI develop depressive symptoms due to a primary anxiety disorder such as PTSD. The influence of pre-morbid psychopathological factors on psychopathology both during and after rehabilitation also needs clarification
source
In addition..there should be more support for people when they leave rehab...its so daunting for many when they leave the reassurance of the spinal units.
Im sure this can be co ordinated better than it is. Im not sure if this happens in other countries but at the spinal unit i was at in the UK the patients with complete injuries tended to get less physio and their physio ended sooner.
The physiotherapy focused more on those who showed current potential for upright mobility.What does that do for ones state of mind about their recovery?
I do think change is needed...badly...
Any thoughts guys?