Staying Mentally Healthy with a Spinal Cord Injury

We are all too familiar with the health implications and related conditions that are associated with a Spinal Cord Injury, muscle gradings, sensory testings and procedures on bladder and bowels will be carried out.

Pain medication will be administered and a rehabilitation plan will be implemented.........but .....what about depression and anxiety assessments, diagnosis and support?

With loss of function comes worries about the future...
dealing with pain
worries over longterm health and care
loss of independence,
employment and financial situations
concerns over relationships and how they will be affected
impacts on family dynamics.
organising home adaptions

Many people also become injured due to a traumatic event so it is highly possible that they could also be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
We have a very interesting forum post on this subject: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder


A Spinal Cord Injury has a huge emotional impact on the person, feeling sad, frightened, confused, worried or angry..missing their old life as they are faced with their new one. These feelings can be overwhelming.





So...what is depression?

While everyone may feel low from time to time, depression is an illness which significantly affects the way you feel, causing a persistent lowering of mood. Depression is often accompanied by a range of other physical and psychological symptoms that can interfere with the way you function day-to-day.

Symptoms may include: persistently feeling extremely sad or tearful; disturbances to usual sleep patterns; loss of interest and motivation; feeling worthless or guilty; loss of pleasure in activities that are usually enjoyable; changes in appetite or weight; loss of sexual interest; physical aches and pains; and problems thinking or concentrating.

and what is anxiety?

Sometimes feelings of anxiety are so overwhelming they can interfere with your ability to function. Symptoms can include: constant worries; obsessions or urges which you can’t control; intense excessive worry about social situations; panic attacks; or an intense, irrational fear of everyday objects and situations.

Other symptoms of anxiety disorders may include a pounding heart, difficulty breathing, upset stomach, muscle tension, sweating or choking, or feeling faint or shaky. It is common for people to experience depression at the same time as increased anxiety.

What if i think i am suffering from anxiety or depression?

Some rehabilitation will involve meeting a councillor who will assess you mental health..but this is not always available. If you feel you may be suffering from some of these symptoms than you should tell your doctor or consultant.
They can facilitate a referral for you where you can then be assessed by an appropriate practitioner in this field and then be offered the support that you will certainly benefit from and need.

It is important to get these feelings addressed as maintaining a healthy state of mind will assist in developing a positive attitude which will help with your rehabilitation.

It is very possible that you will be offered a course of therapy, it is essential that you have the opportunity to talk through you worries and anxieties and then learn how to best deal with them...
Some may be offered medication which will help reduces feelings of anxiety.

Some ideas for helping yourself
Talk things over with a friend and share fears and concerns. It can be a great relief to get worries off your chest and this will help you feel supported.
Develop a network of peers so you can keep in touch with others who are having similar experiences and to share ideas on how to manage.
Maintain an active lifestyle and remain involved in activities and aspects of life that interest you.
Learn and use helpful ways to cope, which may include:
relaxation strategies such as meditation or listening to music;making pleasant activities part of your day-to-day or regular activities;setting some realistic short and long-term goals.



My personal advice is just take each day as it comes, the future hasn't happened so don't worry about it...the past has gone and can't come back.....so all we are left with is the day in hand. Focus on that day and always look for the positive in that day..find some joy in it.

We cannot change what has happened so no matter how much we wish that we could.......you have to find the strength to keep moving forward and working towards a better way of being...and stay strong