Losing A Limb Psychology

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No one could dispute the fact there are barriers and hurdles one must overcome when dealing with the loss of a body part. Initially, more obvious effects are centered on loss of function, sensation, and body image. However, what about the psychological and sociological effects? Losing a limb can emotionally affect the psychological and sociological of a person that can minimize their daily activities. Without the use of prosthetics and visually seeing themselves with prosthetics, can affect how they view themselves. There are factors that contribute to these outcomes that make every case unique but none-the-less the effects are present. By diving into the psychology of losing a limb one can closely examine the psychological level of need …show more content…
Psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists have compared losing a limb to losing a loved one. The effects are devastating while the stages of grief, introduced by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, are potentially experienced: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. (Stuart-Hamilton, 2012) The severity and sequence of these stages as well as the journey to recovery will likely not be identical for any two cases due to multiple variables such as age, support, level of disability, personality pre-surgery, the reaction of family and friends, etc. The psychological effects of prosthetics could in part be better understood by taking a glance at the five stages of grief an amputee might …show more content…
Denial and isolation takes an “I can’t believe this” identity. People who are in this stage might avoid eye contact with the missing extremity or avoid the conversation altogether. Depression may occur and can affect the use and successful application of the prosthetic. Questions asked during the stage of anger will closely resemble thoughts like, “Why me?” or for religious persons, “Where is God?” Here is where some individuals start looking for something or someone to blame especially if the amputation is sudden and unexpected versus a planned surgical procedure. However, in the article, “Reactions to Amputation: Recognition and Treatment” the authors offer that anger “may be directed toward the medial team, with expressions of being “cheated” or “tricked” into agreeing to an amputation” (Copuroglu, Ozcan, Yilmaz, Gorgulu, Abay, & Yalniz, 2010).. Those in the stage of bargaining may delay surgical procedures or wish to turn back the clock engulfed in the “If only this…..then that” mind frame. Depression embodies feelings of no or low self-worth which can often lead to thoughts of suicide. The individual may exhibit signs of being overwhelmed and/or feeling helpless pushing them to the crossroad of fight or flight. If the option of flight is chosen the individual is close to completely giving up with no sight of hope. On the contrary, if fight is
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