Many people with spinal cord injuries report that they experienced a certain sense of hopelessness when their injury began. By definition, hopelessness is a feeling of despair or a lack of belief that life can get better. Feeling hopeless makes it easy to ponder why nothing will ever get better. Your mind deceives you by convincing you that despite your best efforts, your situation will not change. It leads us to a narrowed perspective of what is possible. Living without passion or optimism about the future can become very painful, especially since a sense of hope is a crucial part of our well-being.
As humans, we need hope because it increases our confidence to face difficult situations, especially situations that are beyond our control. Learning how to nurture hope after being diagnosed with paralysis is important because for many people, hope is a coping mechanism that keeps us from mentally breaking down. Hope promotes resilience, problem solving, determination, trust and belief in a positive future. Although it can be difficult, one of the best ways to regain hope after being diagnosed with paralysis is to try to regain hope Reframe your perspective. If you’re feeling hopeless, you may be expecting a worst-case future. Although your painful feelings are real and valid, we must be careful not to get stuck in the catastrophic mindset to the point of hopelessness. The challenge is finding a balance between acknowledging our painful experiences and realizing that a positive future is possible and things can always get better.
Be careful not to minimize your pain. But at the same time, be careful not to lose hope in your future. For example, it’s very important for someone diagnosed with paralysis to mourn the losses that come with your “new normal” while also remembering that you’re still alive, that you’re still one You are a worthy person with a purpose in the world, and you will still be able to nurture friendships and relationships, engage in activities you enjoy, build a life of independence, and have a fulfilling future.
It’s also helpful to remember Your life is constantly evolving and there is often no evidence that you will be stuck in your painful feelings forever. It’s so easy to get bogged down in the belief that nothing will ever feel good again, but it’s far healthier to recognize that our lives and emotions are constantly changing. Many people find a new meaning in life and experience new joy again. Healing is always possible. Finding meaning in life is always possible. Everything can happen. Things are getting better.
Additionally, finding and focusing on the positive things in life can be helpful once you are ready to begin healing. This does not mean that you have to forget or invalidate the pain you have experienced. You deserve to give yourself permission to bring your attention to positive alternatives at some point when you are ready. Please do not pressure yourself or rush this process. We all navigate life at different speeds, and you need to find your way forward.
If you experience hopelessness that lasts longer than you feel normal or manageable, please see a mental health professional. Experiencing hopelessness can be a sign of a serious mental illness, such as depression. It is possible to overcome these feelings and live a more fulfilling life with treatment. You deserve it!
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