Psychological reaction to impairment/disability and coping in patients with lower limb amputation

Background: Lower limb Amputation is distressing and needs psychological adjustment. Psychopathology is common in such patients.
Aims & Objectives: To assess commonest reactions to amputation, coping strategy used and correlation between reaction to impairment/ disability and coping mechanism used by lower limb amputation patients.
Methodology: 34 recently amputated patients were assessed using Reaction to impairment and disability inventory (RIDI) after amputation and Brief COPE scale after 1 month. Obtained data was analyzed statistically.
Results: Commonest Reaction to amputation is Depression, least common is Externalized hostility. Commonest coping strategy is Religion, least common is substance use. Patients use denial as a coping to Shock, Anxiety and Depression. Internalized anger leads to increased self-blaming.Externalized hostilityis positively correlated with Substance abuse and denial.Use of Emotional support, Active coping, Positive reframing, Planning, Humor, and Religion are used in Acknowledgement and Acceptance to Amputation.
Conclusions: Denial to amputation can lead to clinical depression, anxiety. Use of positive coping strategies can help in acceptance and acknowledgement to amputation.