Becoming paralyzed is a life-altering experience, and not for the better. Hopefully, there are things you can do to either overcome the grim diagnosis or learn to better live with the condition. After a sudden diagnosis, your mind is the battle ground. Once you achieve the right mindset, more than half the battle is won.

Paralysis – Main Causes and Outlook

While some types of paralysis are somehow reversible with proper treatment and support, most of them are not. However, the outlook largely depends on the cause of your diagnosis as well as an early intervention.

The most common causes of paralysis are:

• Myopathy, namely loss of muscle function because of a disease of the muscle
• Damaged neuromuscular junction, which means that the loss of muscle function was caused by damage to the area where the nerve and muscle meet
• Conditions affecting the nervous system, such as spinal cord injuries and brain damage caused by a traumatic event such as a car crash, sports accident, head trauma, or stroke
• Severe infections such as Lyme disease caused by a tick bite left untreated.

Regardless of the cause, most cases of paralysis do not lead to a full recovery, but the right mindset, the right support, staying active, and striving towards a deeper connection with an all-loving Higher Being, have helped countless people with a paralysis diagnosis lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Stay Active!

After the diagnosis, don’t fall into the trap of giving up exercising. There are trainers specialized in keeping paralyzed clients in top physical shape. The key here is to not get disconnected from your body and live in a virtual world to escape the new reality.

Focus on building a strong core and work up from there. A strong core is essential for performing small, day-to-day-tasks such as eating unassisted or sitting up. Also, engage in exercises that stimulate the nervous system.

If the diagnosis is reversible, train daily until you reach all your mobility goals. Get a trainer you can trust, but don’t turn a loved one into a trainer as your efforts to get back to normal may be all in vain if the relationship degenerates into that of a carer and victim.

Your Condition Doesn’t Define Who You Are

Don’t let paralysis decide how you live your life. While there are obvious changes in your lifestyle after the diagnosis, don’t fall prey to a victim mentality. Giving up the fight is the easiest way ahead but living life as a victim is emotionally draining and a surefire way towards loneliness and depression.

Refrain from focusing on what goes wrong in your life and always find the silver lining. A healthy mindset will draw like-minded people to you and help keep your morale up to never give up the fight.

Don’t Let Depression Take Hold

A paralysis diagnosis, especially when unexpected, can lead to a roller coaster of emotions, with depression and hopelessness trying very hard to take hold of your life. Paralysis does involve major changes to your life, and depression is inevitable when adjusting to the “new normal.”

While moments of self-doubt and despair are inherent to human nature, if we have something to keep our mind occupied with, we can easier overcome them. If your diagnosis permits it, don’t give up your favorite activities, hobbies, people, and places.

Be proactive in finding new ways of living with the diagnosis with the least impact on your old lifestyle and interests. Focus on short-term planning and give yourself small rewards once various milestones are being reached. Be patient with yourself and don’t rush things up.

In addition, a hearty dose of humility can go a long way in keeping your mental health unaffected by the diagnosis.  Make efforts to accept that things might never be the same again and don’t shy away from asking for help when needed.

Prayer and working on a deeper connection with God can literally work wonders for both your mental and physical well-being.

Arm Yourself with the Right Legal Aid

Sudden paralysis is not only an emotionally taxing experience. It usually also involves big, unexpected expenses with medical bills, therapy, supportive or adaptive props, and so on.

If your diagnosis was spurred by a traumatic event or illness caused by another person or entity, such as a traffic accident or workplace incident, a team of seasoned personal injury attorneys like Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can not only help you cover the extra costs by holding the at-fault parties accountable but also refer you to the right experts to get the most out of your insurance policy.

Image source: Zachary Kyra-Derksen on Unsplash