Coping with feelings, adjusting to change
It takes a while to deal with the feelings and changes that happen as a result of spinal cord injury. Sometimes you may feel sad, angry, confused, scared, lonely, or even out of control. You may have more than one feeling at the same time. Your feelings will vary during the course of a day or from one day to the next.
How families and friends feel
Families and friends have many of the same feelings as the person who is injured. They may feel shock, anger, hope, sadness, fear, and anxiety. Sometimes the whole situation may feel unreal. This feeling is normal.
Changes in relationships
Relationships with family and friends may feel strained or different. Your injury affects you as well as those to whom you are close. Everyone copes differently with their feelings and their concerns. This is normal. The key is to talk openly and honestly with each other.
Supporting one another through difficult conversations
There are no right or wrong feelings, but it still may be difficult for your family and friends to share their feelings with you. They might think they shouldn’t bother you with their feelings or that their feelings might be depressing to you. You can let them know it is OK to talk to you.
Adjusting over time
Since spinal cord injury is a permanent condition, it takes at least a year to make adjustments emotionally and physically. There may be changes within family roles as well as general coping. You may also discover strengths you did not know that you had. You may feel confident as you learn new skills and abilities and develop new interests.
In this section
- Adapting to SCI: Strategies for adjusting to life and new routines after spinal cord injury.
- Role changes in the family: How spinal cord injury impacts family dynamics and roles.
- Accepting help: The importance of accepting assistance and maintaining independence after SCI.