Emotional trauma is difficult to escape. From the dangerous occupations of first responders or members of the armed forces to taking a fall on one's bike and breaking a bone, physical trauma is a part of one's life at some point or another.
However, while the physical pain and repercussions of injury can be difficult to deal with, it is just as important to address the emotional impact that these injuries often carry with them. Injuries of any kind affect an individual in multiple ways, dictating how they approach the healing process, depending on their unique situation.
The Various Types of Physical Trauma
Trauma can mean different things to different people. For some, major injuries can be incredibly traumatic, with fractures, deep cuts, and many other types of injuries each continuing to affect an individual far beyond the event itself. Persistent pains, heavy casts, aches, stitches, or other repercussions of injuries can continue to plague an individual. Not only can this affect their physical wellbeing, but it can also impact their mental health as the frustrations and recollections of the traumatic event continue to flash into their mind.
However, trauma is unique to each individual, and what may not seem incredibly traumatic to one may be very difficult for another. Even injuries such as a twisted ankle, sprained wrist, or cut shoulder can all impact an individual depending on how the injury occurred and to what frequency the particular part of their body is used.
For example, while a twisted ankle may not be a life-threatening injury, to an avid or professional tennis player, it can be incredibly stressful. This can directly impact one's ability to do their job, how much they are paid, professional rankings, and much, much more. Such an injury happening on the court can further add to its stress, creating a deep emotional impact.
The Anger and Frustration of Injury
Physical injuries also create a great deal of frustration. Finding once simple tasks now difficult to perform can be incredibly difficult to process. Many can be angered, frustrated, or even embarrassed if they feel like they have to ask for help with such tasks. Injured legs can make getting up the stairs in one's own home difficult, leading to a great deal of anger at the situation. These pervasive negative feelings can continue to reshape how an individual approaches their healing process, with feelings of frustration becoming more prevalent throughout one's recovery.
While a persistent feeling of anger can be emotionally detrimental, it can also develop into adverse effects on one's physical healing. For example, frustrations may cause an individual to push themselves beyond what is recommended, in an effort to prove to themselves that they can accomplish simple tasks without needing assistance. This can ultimately further complicate one's healing and create a cyclical source of frustration throughout the recovery process.
Altering Perceptions of the Environment
The environment in which an injury took place can also create a difficult emotional hurdle. Getting injured in the workplace or at home can introduce a new feeling of danger into what may have once been a comforting space. This may compromise the feeling of safety typically associated with the places one regularly frequents.
A scenario like this can be especially complicated for those who have high-risk occupations, such as first responders, construction workers, or lumberjacks. Seeing one's place of work or rest through a newfound lens of danger can create a complicated feeling of dissonance. An individual may no longer feel safe in these environments, introducing stress and a feeling of unease while at rest or work.
The changes in these environments can make getting to sleep difficult or may cause an individual to approach their work in new ways, even if the injury was not severe. Taking new safety precautions or seeing one's tools for the potential dangers they present can all be difficult to cope with, creating a major adjustment for one's mind as they navigate this newfound perspective.
The Need for Holistic Recovery
Treating physical injuries to help one heal is essential to return to a normal working state.
However, addressing the emotional aspects of these injuries is just as important. Addressing recovery, holistically, by not only tending to the physical injuries but also the changing perspectives they may bring are all crucial in healing from any kind of injury.
One cannot shy away from supports regarding one's physical and emotional health. Trauma and injuries affect an entire person in many ways. Accepting that physical injures carry an emotional component is essential in finding the best, most complete path to healing.
Physical injuries carry a distinct emotional component that can be exceptionally difficult to cope with. If you or a loved one are struggling with the stresses of an injury and are having difficulty processing the anxiety, depression, or substance use therein, we at Chateau Recovery can help you today. Located in Midway, Utah, we are prepared to help you better understand the range of effects that physical injury can present, and can help you construct a unique and personalized recovery plan based on your needs and goals. Your time in our residential facility is curated with a wide array of therapeutic options, from art and music to yoga, mindfulness practices, nutritional guidance, education, and more, all directed at your unique case. Our supportive community is also prepared to help you build on your strengths throughout the recovery process while helping guide you through vulnerabilities. For more information on how we can help you, call us at (435) 222-5225.