Coping
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 families 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,
Instructor Notes:
Concepts: Key Concepts to Cover
- What is coping and when is it utilized
- What coping can look like in family and friends of amputee
- Positive coping strategies
- How a peer visitor can encourage amputee to utilize these strategies
Scenario Activity Facilitation:
Scenario #1: (Slide 34)
You walk in to your patients hospital room who has just undergone an above knee amputation. She was an avid biker prior to the accident, and you see her selling her collection of bikes and accessories online. You ask her why she is doing this and she shrugs and replies “im never going to be able to do what I love again so may as well get started on selling things”
- Discussion Question: What stage of recovery do you think she is undergoing? How would you reply to someone if they expressed this to you? (Slide 35)
Scenario #2: (Slide 36)
You have been a peer support for a patient since the beginning of his amputation process. It has been approximately 4 months since you started seeing him and you’ve noticed that he has started to withdraw from social situations and avoids leaving the house. His family does not seem to be worried about this behavior. He now has little interest in seeing his friends or family and is growing increasingly self isolated in his bed.
- Discussion Question: Is this a healthy coping strategy? How would you address this with him and attempt to improve his situation? (Slide 37)
