The Psychological Cost of Traumatic Amputations

If you suffered a traumatic amputation as a result of an automobile accident, you already know that the pain lingers long after the injury has healed. The life that you knew and enjoyed was irrevocably changed in the moment of your collision.

Amputated limbs affect more than just your physical body. There are psychological consequences of the injury that may be even harder to overcome. We’ll unpack more below about how to cope with a traumatic amputation.

Psychological changes accompany amputations

Medical researchers studied seven cases of traumatic amputations in patients. They found that some common themes emerged regarding the effects of the amputation on the victims:

• Need for emotional balancing
• The emotional impact of the loss of limb
• Tendency to isolate themselves
• Constraints and limitations
• Phantom limb pain

These psychological changes result from the loss of limb and the struggles that accompany patients as they try to adjust to their new normal.

Obstacles to return to normal life

Patients were determined to need a psychological calibration to be able to return to normal life. They all struggled with issues of low self-esteem. Many experienced depression and despair over their post-accident physical limitations.

Depression rates higher in amputees

It’s important to note that those with amputations suffer from depression at a higher rate than those without limbs amputated. Researchers also discovered that the sooner a prosthesis can be worn by the victim, the better their chances of suffering fewer mental health issues related to the amputation.

Cost of treatment, prostheses high

Amputees often need lifelong medical treatment and a series of prosthetic limbs, as the fit may be altered by growth or weight loss or gain. These prosthetic limbs are expensive and custom-fitted for the amputees.