Emotional Support Following an Amputation  

​We recognise that having an amputation can bring up a range of emotions. These feelings may be immediate or may emerge months or even years later. They can feel overwhelming for you and your family or carers. 

​Although many people cope well and find a way to move forwards with their lives, others can find this extremely difficult and may need extra support.  

​How Do I Know If I Need Extra Support? 

​As part of your treatment with the prosthetic rehabilitation team, you will be asked to complete two questionnaires before every review meeting. One questionnaire, the PHQ-9, assesses your mood, while the other, the GAD-7, measures levels of anxiety.  

​You will also meet the multidisciplinary prosthetic team during your review meetings. They will ask you about your mood and how you and your family/carers are coping following the amputation. 

​The questionnaires and the discussion will help the team understand how you're feeling so they can offer the right kind of support. 

​Calming Strategies 

​Self-soothe 

​Engage in an activity that you associate with pleasant, calm feelings. It can help to use your senses, for example: 

  • ​Smell – Spray or dab your favourite scent on a pillow or into hot water, then inhale. 

  • ​Sound – Listen to music, nature sounds, or relaxation audio. 

  • ​Sight – Look at calming images or a photo of a place you love. 

  • ​Touch - Wrap yourself in a favourite blanket or wear something soft and comforting. 

  • ​Taste - take the time to savour your favourite food or drink, or try something new. 

​Mindfulness  

​Our modern lifestyle is often focused on being “busy, busy, busy” and we can often find ourselves dwelling over things that have happened in the past or worrying about things that might happen in the future. Mindfulness is a way of focussing on the here and now. 

​​Several audio exercises are available to freely access via the Trust website. Either type ‘PPSS service Cumbria mindfulness’ into your internet search engine, or follow this link:  

​Mindfulness | NHS Physical Health Psychology Cumbria 

​One example is a mindful breathing exercise: 

​Sit in a chair and find a comfortable posture. Close your eyes. Allow your body to be held, supported by the chair. Notice the way the chair feels against your body. 

​Become aware of your breath, tune into the sensations of breathing, wherever 

​you feel them. You do not need to change the way you are breathing, just pay  

​close attention.  

​Sometimes you will find that your mind wanders – and that’s not a problem – it’s  

​what the mind does. Whenever you notice your mind wandering, notice this, and 

​then gently return your attention to the breath. 

​What support can I get? 

​If you feel that you are struggling to cope emotionally and would like some psychological support, the following resources are available: 

  • ​Your GP – It can help to discuss your mood with your GP. They may prescribe medication to help you to manage difficult emotions and may also refer you for psychological therapy. 

​​Common emotions 

Common emotions.png

​​Helpful Coping Strategies 

​Distraction – Take your mind off negative or upsetting thoughts or images by engaging in an activity that requires some concentration, for example: 

​Alphabet Game – choose a topic of interest e.g. ‘animals.’ Now work through the alphabet from A to Z and try to think of as many things (e.g. animal names) related to that topic as you can, for each letter. If you are unable to think of anything for some letters, just move on. 

​Counting – Choose a high number e.g. 1,000 and count backwards in 2s, 3s or 5s. 

​Music - Put some music on and try to really focus on one aspect of the music e.g. words, tune, one of the instruments. 

​Puzzles/crosswords – Concentrate on a puzzle, word search, crossword or Sudoku etc. 

​Colouring – Concentrate on colouring in - There are now a range of ‘adult colouring books’ available. 

​Contact details 

​Prosthetic Multi-Disciplinary Team 

Prosthetic Department Specialist Rehabilitation and Mobility Centre (SRMC)

Cumberland Infirmary 

Tel: 01228 616868 

Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm ​ 

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

Complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

Complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302