Mind Over Matter: Understanding the Psychological Impact of Amputation (Atena Editora)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Amputation, while addressing critical health issues, has broad implications, necessitating a holistic approach to post-operative care that encompasses psychological and social rehabilitation. Globally, amputation rates reflect healthcare disparities, with factors like disease prevalence affecting incidence. Rehabilitation challenges vary with the amputation's extent, requiring personalized healthcare strategies involving a team of professionals from surgery to psychological support. Mental health concerns, including depression and body image issues, are prevalent, underlining the importance of early intervention and sustained support systems. Addressing body dysmorphia is crucial for amputees to aid in psychological adjustment and social reintegration, highlighting the multidimensional aspects of amputation care. OBJETIVE: Analyze and describe the main aspects of psychological impact of amputation the last years. METHODS: Narrative review, using as descriptors: “Psychological Impact” AND “Amputation” AND “Psychosomatic Medicine” AND “Rehabilitation Psychology” in the last years on MEDLINE – PubMed (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health), COCHRANE, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There are an intricate dynamics between amputation and mental health, spotlighting the prevalent mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD among amputees, especially those with traumatic amputation experiences. It stresses the imperative of early psychological intervention and specialized, amputation-specific mental health programs to mitigate long-term psychological issues. Highlighting the profound impact of limb loss on personal identity and self-esteem, the text advocates for comprehensive rehabilitation programs that include mental health support tailored to individual needs. The variability in outcomes from existing mental health interventions like CBT underscores the need for personalized care plans and further research. It also emphasizes the critical role of social support, equitable healthcare access, and the importance of addressing barriers to mental health care, such as stigma and financial constraints. The narrative suggests that technological advances in prosthetics show promise for enhancing psychological outcomes but points out the gap in accessibility. Conclusively, it calls for an integrated, multidisciplinary care approach that marries physical and mental health support to improve amputees' overall outcomes and quality of life, underlining the continuous need for support and the multifaceted nature of adjusting to life post-amputation, including dealing with phantom limb pain and navigating the psychological aftermath of limb loss. CONCLUSION: The synthesis highlights the intricate relationship between amputation and mental health, underscoring the prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD among amputees and the crucial need for early psychological interventions. It points to the essential role of tailored, holistic care plans that integrate physical and mental health support, recognizing the variability in treatment outcomes and the importance of personalized approaches. Emphasizing the value of social support, equitable healthcare access, and continuous mental health services, the synthesis advocates for systemic changes to ensure comprehensive support for all amputees. It also notes the positive impact of technological advances in prosthetics on psychological outcomes, while calling for efforts to address accessibility challenges. Overall, the narrative calls for a multidisciplinary, integrated care approach to improve the well-being and quality of life for amputees, highlighting the ongoing need for support and the complexities of the psychological response to limb loss.