Stop Feeling Part of You is Missing

Download: 5 Insurance Misconceptions About What Proper Amputation Recovery Takes

    “Stop feeling something is missing.” says your significant other. Amputees all face this even after they have felt they are back to doing almost everything they did before their amputation. That feeling of loss can erupt suddenly for no apparent reason. You might call it “feeling empty,” while someone else might call it limb loss. What matters the most is that it’s real. Although overwhelming, it can be managed. Uncovering what’s lying underneath this feeling might not be a straightforward process, but it’s possible and a recommended first step toward its resolution. The feeling of missing part of yourself might last a few days and then resolve on its own. Other times, it might linger for weeks or longer. When this is the case, seeking the support of a mental health professional can help.

    Why After This Long?

    Limb loss can start as a sense of loneliness, confusion about your life and goals, or lack of motivation. Just as losing a significant other can leave you yearning for that person to be back in your life you miss your limb in the same way. In both situations, you feel a void in your heart. Until you resolve those feelings, you will be dealing with the longing to be back in the past. The pandemic intensifies this experience as social distancing, loneliness, and the fear of catching the virus all contribute to this grieving process.

    An amputation requires regaining a lifestyle and realizing that there are things you can no longer do. It means forging a new life for yourself, resolving these feelings, and moving on. Missing a limb shares some mental health symptoms with depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Only a mental health professional can diagnose your condition accurately. But what happens when your feeling of loss and emptiness does not go away? How to Deal with Feeling Part of You is Missing

    Losing Touch With Your Body

    It’s not unusual for someone to lose touch with their sense of their body after an amputation. If you don’t look at where the lost limb was, you can go back to a time in your life before your amputation. This wishful dreaming shows that you are missing that limb and have not gotten over missing it. Some people call this “living before your loss.” You are stuck in the past when you are not living in the present. You realize you have to start living in the present. Losing touch with yourself can come from many circumstances. You may find yourself dreaming of” being whole again” in your dreams. You have unresolved feelings from your bodily loss.

    Resolving Past Experiences

    Feeling loss and emptiness comes from unresolved grief. Part of you has not come to terms with your bodily change. It may be too painful. You may be glossing over the feelings that are erupting. When we don’t openly talk or explore emotions that have been with us for a long time, they come back in the sense of loss and despair.

    Even if it feels overwhelming and painful, thinking and talking about significant past events that caused you grief may help you process them. Depending on how strong you feel about these events, going through the process with a mental health professional is highly advisable.

    Not Having Significant Relationships

    The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the most extended studies about adult life, has found that maintaining close relationships is the most critical aspect of the human experience. It’s not about how many connections you have but rather the quality of these relationships. Emotional intimacy, support, active listening, and company are all important. When these are missing in your life, it could lead to feelings of emptiness and loss.

    Is Limb Loss Really Depression?

    An amputation recovery shares symptoms with clinical depression but is caused by a physical event. Studies show that the most effective treatment of depression is the combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy. There is no reason why this would not generalize to resolving your amputation grief over limb loss. Always remember, you are much more than your physical experience.

    Stop Feeling Something is Missing

    Feeling empty is not always a sign of depression, though. The only person who can diagnose your condition accurately is a mental health professional.  They might help you figure out the nature of your feelings and the different paths you could take to feel better. Finally, the goal is to have a meaningful life. You will stop missing your limb when you are solidly in the present. That means new normalcy. You are returning to essential life roles such as caring for yourself, being a family member, and returning to work. Having a prosthesis can assist with your integration back into such activities.  Lastly, re-engaging in life’s activities and being in the present reduces those excursions into the past, and longing for that lost limb does not preoccupy you.

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    Life after amputation

    Life After Amputation

    Losing a limb felt like losing a loved one. But the opposite is also true: finding strength in others. My wife was my rock, holding me up while I fought fear and rebuilt myself. Recovery was brutal. Daily therapy, learning new skills, battling phantom pain. But amidst it all, a ray of hope: a fellow amputee leaping and laughing at the gym, defying limits. He showed me there's life after loss, a journey shared with support groups and inspirational mentors. This isn't just about surviving surgery, it's about thriving. It's planning for a future free from fear, where uneven sidewalks and curious stares don't hold you back. It's the day you wake up and realize your prosthetic feels like an extension, not a burden. It's stepping through life, head held high, courage as your compass is life after amputation. It's hard, but it's beautiful. And it's mine to live. Losing a limb felt like losing a loved one. But the opposite is also true: finding strength in others. My wife was my rock, holding me up while I fought fear and rebuilt myself.
    stopping amputation cognitive distortions

    Stopping Amputation Cognitive Distortions

    Stopping the amputation of cognitive distortions is a way to resolve your negative thinking, A cognitive distortion is a pattern of thoughts not based on facts. It is an amputee thinking that they will never get back to normal. It is calling yourself a cripple for the rest of your life. Our thoughts have a significant impact on how we feel and how we behave. When you treat these negative thoughts as facts, you see yourself and act in a way based on faulty assumptions. If you ignore them, hoping they go away, This could contribute to your depression and anxiety. Stopping amputation cognitive distortions is very important in having a successful recovery. Stopping amputation cognitive distortions means controlling negative thoughts that are defeating your amputation recovery. These distortions are common cognitive patterns that prevent recovery from a limb loss,

    How to Reduce Limiting Beliefs

    Losing a limb is like a blow to both body and mind. Negative thoughts, like relentless fog horns, blast doubts about walking again, loving deeply, or even feeling truly alive. But instead of succumbing to this internal storm, you can fight back. Tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are your secret weapon, helping you dismantle those harmful thinking patterns. It's not magic, but picture this: replacing "I'll never climb again" with "Each step is a victory," or trading "This is the end" for "It's a new beginning." Studies show CBT empowers amputees, lifting their spirits and their lives. Just like physical therapy strengthens muscles, CBT strengthens your mind, equipping you to build a future radiant with possibility. So, silence the fog horns, embrace CBT, and unlock the limitless potential that awaits, one hopeful thought at a time.

    It’s Just a Matter of Balance

    Kevin Garrison, an amputee himself, dives into "It's Just a Matter of Balance," finding solace and inspiration in its message of resilience. He relates to the author's initial shock and fear, but is captivated by his transformation into a dedicated prosthetist, fueled by empathy and a relentless pursuit of perfecting artificial limbs. The book's power lies in the unique dual perspective - it's not just about a patient finding his footing, but also a prosthetist forging his path from compassion to expertise. This heartwarming journey, from a terrified consumer to a confident professional, showcases how life truly is a matter of finding balance, even in the face of adversity. As Garrison concludes, Kevin's story is an inspiration, proving that overcoming personal challenges can ignite a passion to lift others up.