Coping

Coping involves adjusting to or tolerating negative events or realities while maintaining a positive self-image and emotional equilibrium. Coping occurs in the context of life changes that are perceived to be stressful.

Coping and family

As much as an amputation affects the individual undergoing the amputation, it may also have an effect on the individual’s family and friends.

• Family members may also be having a hard time coping with the amputation as well.
• Peer support is available for the family upon request to aid in their process of coping with the change of life events.
• Informal caregivers may become overprotective and may restrict certain activities such as going out to certain places due to the uncertainty of the safety of the environment which may lead to isolation and ineffective coping.
• Informal caregivers may also become over-protective as they see that it is their responsibility to maintain the safety of the person with the amputation; however, this may hinder the person with the amputation from self-determination.
• It is essential to inform the person with the amputation that though they may need assistance, they should make efforts towards recovery and coping and rely on family and friends for support and be able to communicate with them when they become overbearing.

Coping strategies

Positive ways to cope with an amputation include:

• Acknowledging feelings
• Expressing negative emotions
• Connecting with others
• Finding a purpose
• Setting meaningful goals
• Creating a daily routine
• Embracing optimism

As a peer visitor, you can support the person you are visiting in exploring together ways to improve their coping,

Check Your Understanding

This is a self-assessment to check your understanding of the concepts presented in this section. You can attempt the activity multiple times.