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FINDING YOUR FEET AGAINby Evelyn Boon, Senior Psychologist, Singapore General Hospital. Coming to terms with diabetes-related complications is never easy. One of the more feared complications is amputation. It is often associated with the most extreme of emotions because of the sense of loss. Loss is when we lose someone or something very dear to us and grief is the sadness we feel when we experience a loss. When we lose someone / something we cherish, we would go through a gamut of emotions characterised mainly by sadness.3s diabetes somewhere in the world.
This process is called bereavement. This very same emotional experience is also very intensely felt when a person with diabetes loses his foot/leg to amputation. When you have foot ulcers/gangrene and the threat of amputation looms, you may suffer the whole cycle of grief in stages - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally, acceptance. You may start off not believing that you need an amputation and may be in total denial that a problem exists at all. The slightest mention of amputation may spark off anger. However, behind this anger there is often much anxiety and fear regarding the surgery and apprehension about the uncertainty of the future. After having the amputation, a different array of emotions comes into play - anger, guilt, frustration, depressed mood and a deep sense of loss/emptiness. You may feel angry and frustrated with the inconvenience caused with your loss of independence and restricted mobility. You may be angry with diabetes and even yourself, perhaps for letting things come to this or for not taking better care of your feet. This is often accompanied by guilt. And you may begin to feel guilty about being a "burden" to your loved ones. The loss of a limb/foot may not only be a physical loss but it is also an emotional one. It may affect your self-confidence, self-esteem and even sense of self worth. Some people live a restricted life after amputation. They may feel that they are not as "whole" as before and would rather not be seen. Because of this, they isolate themselves socially. Amputation is not an easy experience to overcome. Grief is a natural process for anyone who has suffered loss. Allow yourself some time to grieve and come to terms with your loss. At this point, you may want to also rally social support around you to help you get through these hard times. After a period of bereavement it is also good for you to work towards letting go and moving on. However, if you do feel overwhelmed with helplessness and hopelessness, and find yourself getting depressed, easily irritable and withdrawn most of the time, it might help to see a mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. FFOOTNOTE • Every 30 seconds a leg is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world. |
