When we think about recovering from an injury, most people think of the physical healing process, rebuilding strength, regaining independence, or learning to adapt to new physical or cognitive changes. But recovery doesn’t stop with the body. The emotional and psychological impact of an injury can be just as challenging, and sometimes even more overwhelming.  

It’s not uncommon for people to experience depression, anxiety, or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a life-altering injury. Pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, financial strain, and the loss of daily roles or activities often become heavy triggers. Add in the trauma of the injury itself, and it’s no surprise that many people begin to feel “not like themselves” or even wonder if they’re “going crazy.” The truth is, what you’re experiencing is normal, and you don’t have to face it alone.  

What is Psychotherapy?  

Psychotherapy, or talk based therapy, focuses on building a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship between patient and therapist which allows for the identification, exploration, and acceptance of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings to minimize the impact on our psychosocial functioning. At Innovative Rehabilitation Systems we specialize in providing psychotherapy for individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury and many of our patients are adjusting to numerous life changes due to their injury or accident.   

Common Mental Health Issues Following a Traumatic Injury  

Depression  

Sustaining an injury that significantly limits or impacts our ability to work or care for ourselves often causes us to feel bad about ourselves, our experience, and our future. This may lead to symptoms including: feelings of sadness, crying spells, anger, irritability, social isolation and withdrawal, a loss of interest in hobbies and leisure activities, and self-harm behaviors.  

Anxiety  

Symptoms of anxiety are also common following a traumatic injury. Recovering from an injury is stressful and many patients worry about their physical health, finances, and their ability to care for themselves and loved ones. Patients may experience symptoms of anxiety following a traumatic injury which include feelings of worry, racing or intrusive thoughts, difficulty focusing and making decisions, sleep difficulties, increased heart and respiration rate, and nausea. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  

PTSD is a condition that can develop anytime we experience a traumatic or life-threatening experience. As we experience a trauma, the mind often goes into a state of psychological shock that can interfere with the way we process memories, and it rewires our fight or flight system. Symptoms of PTSD often include panic attacks, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and hypervigilance behaviors. 

How Can Psychotherapy Help?  

Working with a psychotherapist can help us to better understand that our experience with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD following a traumatic injury is normal. Talking about our feelings and traumatic memories related to our injury in a session can help us to better process these thoughts and feelings and develop an understanding of how it impacts our psychosocial functioning. Psychotherapy also involves identifying unhealthy coping patterns and learning new, healthy ways of coping.  

Why In-Home Psychotherapy?  

There are unfortunately many barriers to getting the psychological help we need when we are struggling. Pain, fatigue, lack of transportation, cultural stereotypes, and shame often keep many of us from attending outpatient therapy consistently. In-home Psychotherapy allows patients to receive care in the comfort of their own home and often facilitates the development of the therapeutic relationship and rapport.  

Psychotherapy Goals  

Goals of psychotherapy often involve: 

• Developing a deeper understanding of our injury and how it impacts us physically, cognitively, and emotionally, 

• Identifying symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as processing how symptoms are triggered by our injury experience, 

• Processing traumatic memories and related thoughts associated with our injury experience, and  

• Developing healthy coping skills for managing symptoms of depression and anxiety including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions such as establishing and maintaining healthy self-concept, use of positive self-statements, thought challenging and reframing, use of deep breathing and mindfulness meditation.  

Who Can Benefit from Psychotherapy? 

Everyone can benefit from talking to a psychotherapist, whether we think we need it or not. Experiencing a physical or emotional trauma not only impacts us but those around us as well. Patients of all ages can benefit from psychotherapy treatment, as well as family members and caregivers. At Innovative Rehabilitation Systems we focus on supporting the patient through recovery of their injury and providing necessary tools for daily life both in and outside of the home.  

Written By: Evan McLaughlin, MS, LLP, CBIS