If you sustain an injury, it’s a really simple process of recovery. You go to the doctor. Maybe have surgery and then get back to your regular schedule with no problems. Right? Wrong. Recovery can be difficult for some people. Mood swings, desire for isolation, and depression are common. If you’re someone who was especially active before injury, these feelings could be more intense as you learn to adjust.
5 Steps to Acceptance
Injuries can change your life dramatically — sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently. Accepting a part of your life has changed can be a challenge, just like any other traumatic experience. Some people in beginning recovery will go through five stages of acceptance similar to the steps of acceptance for a death.
- Denial about the injury’s severity or that the injury even happened is first. This could be from shock or fear.
- Giving up some control over life during recovery can be frustrating and leads to anger. Anger maybe directed at yourself or at friends and family.
- When the anger subsides you may begin to bargain with yourself. You promise you won’t train as hard or you will train harder than before.
- Feelings of depression about the future are next. Will your body be the same? What will you have to give up? How much will my life be different?
- Acceptance is the final step. This last step is also the only proactive step where real recovery can begin.
Once reality sets in you can begin talking with your physician or physical therapist about the recovery process. You should do the following together:
- Talk about developing a support network. This can be friends, family and others going through similar recovery. It’s important to keep in mind that injury and recovery affect everyone differently so never compare your progress. Also, your network should be ready to listen, offer support and never push you.
- Determine, with your medical professional, a list of milestones. Be realistic and honest with yourself. Make sure to listen when your physical therapist offers his opinion or gives orders. A good PT will be honest even when it hurts.
- Find the things in life that motivate you. Motivation makes the recovery process easier.
- Explore other hobbies or interests. Ask your PT what activities are acceptable during recovery, and then listen. Hobbies and interests keep your mind sharp and keep your thoughts away from your injury.
- Think happy thoughts.
Your physician or PT may have other suggestions, but if he or she doesn’t bring up your emotions then you should. Communicate and be open. Depression makes recovery difficult and it could lead to a re-injury if you’re not honest with yourself.
Share your recovery stories in the comments. Did you feel depression or other emotions during recovery?
