Dealing With The Aftermath Of A New Disability

Dealing with the aftermath of a new disability is always challenging, and you have to psychologically and physically adjust. If you’re not sure what to do but you’re in the situation, then this post is here to help. We take a look at some of the ways that you can process various stages like shock, denial, anger, and acceptance so that you can live your best life possible. 

Let yourself feel all of the emotions

First, you’ll want to allow yourself to feel all of the emotions that come through during this challenging time. You’re likely to feel a mixture of anger, sadness, denial, and shock. If you suppress these, it can lead to distress. So work on allowing them to flow without judgment. This will be challenging, but it is something that you can do. Especially if you have supportive people around you. 

Seek professional mental health support

If you want to seek professional mental health support, a lot of professionals these days can adjust and tailor their services to your specific requirements depending on the injury or the disability that you have.

If you can find therapists who are experienced with chronic illness issues or group mix counseling, then that’s also an avenue you might want to explore. Specialists are in a better position to help you than regular therapists who don’t have deep experience in these matters. 

Connect with support services and peers

Another thing you’ll want to look into is connecting with support services and theaters. For example, you could find a case management service that operates in your area. Having people you can connect with and who can help you through challenging times is essential. They’re often able to offer practical tips and emotional validation, enabling you to make the most of what is otherwise a challenging situation. They can also give you perspective and show you that it is possible to make it through disabilities and still have a fulfilling life. 

Educate yourself about your condition

If you find yourself in a situation where you have a new disability, there is no reason to suffer in ignorance.

We recommend educating yourself about your condition and finding out what’s actually driving it and how it works. The more you know about it, the more you can empower yourself and set realistic expectations.

Sometimes it is possible to recover, and sometimes it isn’t, but having the knowledge of how your life is likely to turn out is critical. 

Set small and realistic goals

When you have a disability, it’s sometimes essential to reset your goals and think about how you might want to change them. Famous people like Stephen Hawking still had goals, even though they had severe disabilities. Whenever you experience progress, celebrate it. It doesn’t matter how minor it might seem. Also, focus on the factors in your life that you can control. If there’s an activity that you can’t manage, then don’t try it. Don’t force yourself to do it. Be respectful of what you can process right now.