Psychological Changes After Surgery
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Psychological changes after surgery can occur in some situations. Having surgery, either planned or emergency, can cause fear and anxiety. There are many unknown details and it can be difficult not to worry about the “what if something goes wrong” scenario.
Unfortunately, the recovery process is not as smooth for some people as it is for others. Letting go of the daily routine and incorporating change can be frustrating. Stress, anxiety, and depression; are all normal with the recovery process after surgery.
Depression and anxiety can be side effects after surgery
Tips to Cope with Stress and Anxiety
Talking with loved ones (I.e., Family and friends):
Depression, stress, and anxiety can make someone feel isolated and alone. Usually, it is hard to talk about mental health and being vulnerable to others. Having that support from people close to you can provide a way to get your stresses off your chest.
Set Goals
Physical therapy/recovery after surgery can be tough, sometimes not going as planned or as fast as one might expect. Your physical therapist and yourself need to set short-term and long-term attainable goals to help keep track of the recovery process. These goals should be daily, weekly, and monthly to give a sense of accomplishment and boost your mood.
Get some sunlight
Being outside and enjoying the sunlight have a lot of benefits. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. Sunlight can also help assist in sleeping regulations. Light plays a role in regulating circadian rhythms; which is the body’s internal clock signaling when to be alert and when to rest.
Exercise
Talking with your surgeon and/or physical therapist to create an exercise routine that not only sets you up to achieve your physical goals for recovery after surgery but also will help with your mental health. Exercise will naturally release serotonin, as noted in the previous section that will help regulate your mood.
Read this article Exercise is Medicine to learn more.
Eat Healthy
A healthy diet will help with psychological changes after surgery
Food plays a vital role in our physical, emotional, and mental health. When you are struggling with anxiety or depression, making some small changes to your diet may help to decrease your symptoms and have a positive effect on your daily life. Foods that may help with your psychological changes after surgery include:
- Fish
- Nuts
- Beans
- Vegetables
- Probiotics
Resources for Psychological Changes After Surgery
Here are links to stress and anxiety self-assessment questionnaires to help evaluate your psychological changes after surgery:
Signs of anxiety and depression after surgery:
- Fatigue
- Change in appetite
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
- Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming others
It is important to be aware of signs and symptoms of depression and to know how to cope with them as it can help you make more informed decisions about your recovery method. Taking action in coping with these signs and symptoms can help your recovery time physically and mentally. Remember, if you notice any of these signs or symptoms, talk with your therapist, surgeon, or any medical professional about ways to help manage these thoughts and symptoms.
You can visit Baptist Health’s Behavioral Health Services for resources to help with your psychological changes after Surgery. They have almost 20 Baptist Behavioral Health outpatient office locations throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
JOI is proud to partner with The Patrick Heinhold Foundation to promote suicide prevention for teenagers.
To make an appointment with a JOI Orthopedic Doctor, call (904)JOI-2000, schedule online, or click the link below. To schedule with a JOI Rehab Physical therapist, call (904)858-7045.