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Psychological Effects of Brachial Plexus Injuries

 

Types of psychological effects
 
Patients can experience many negative psychological and emotional effects as a result of their traumatic brachial plexus injuries.
These can include:
 

 

  • Difficulties accepting the diagnosis

  • Difficulties adjusting if surgery is not able to meet expectations

  • Difficulties accepting assessment outcomes

  • Financial difficulties with treatment options and using the public or private systems

  • Emotional worries about what to tell people

  • Concerns about your appearance, and about your appearance after future surgeries

  • Difficulties deciding on surgical options

  • Awkwardness in social situations

  • Difficulties establishing and maintaining relationships

  • Concerns about the affects and changes the injury will have on your family

  • Concerns about your ability to work

  • Symptoms of trauma such as nightmares, distressing thought and memories of your accident etc

  • Concerns about your future

  • Worrying about your pace of rehabilitation/recovery

  • Concerns about the timeframes of treatment in the public system

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Difficulties helping your partner/children understand your situation, requirements, moods

  • Difficulties asking for help

  • Emotional stress from being treated "differently" by others

  • Difficulties dealing with people looking, staring or asking about your arm when out in the public eye

  • Difficulties adjusting to suddenly changing your lifestyle

  • Concerns about prescribed medication

  • Emotional distress from the constant and permanent pain

  • Adjusting to having to use your other arm if your dominant arm is damaged

  • Difficulties learning to do things with one arm/hand

  • Concerns about financial benefits and medical provisions

 

Please ask your surgeon or therapists if you are experiencing any of the above or other emotonal issues as they will be able to assist with referrals and suggestions.

 

The immediate family, such as partners and children, can also experience separate emotional and psychological issues, as well as sharing some of the patients including:

 

  • Concerns about the future

  • Concern for patient's pain

  • Financial concerns if partner/parent/child has extended time off work or can no longer work

  • Concerns about medical and medication expenses

  • Concern that patient is not able to go travelling etc due to overseas medical concerns and medication laws

  • Concerns about the patients change of appearance

  • Emotional distress about the prospect of possible amputation

  • Guilt if involved in the accident or a feeling they could of prevented the accident

  • Difficulties adjusting to caring for injured partner/parent/child


Family counselling or at least frequent conversations as a family to discuss feelings, concerns and to plans for how to cope, is vital. It is important to work together, and to keep the lines of communication open.

 

Family involvement in the physical rehabilitation process is very helpful for both the patient and the family members. After all, the injury is affecting the whole family, and this assists with the patients mindset as well as helping the family members understand what is going on.

 

Please ask your surgeon or therapists if your family members are experiencing any of the above or other emotonal issues need as they will be able to assist with referrals and suggestions.

 

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