Common psychological challenges for patients with newly acquired disability

A patient's attitude to a newly acquired disability can often be the determining factor in successful rehabilitation. This attitude is determined by his or her perceived ability to manage symptoms, deal with hospital procedures, form and maintain relationships and manage his or her feelings about the disability. Because of this complexity, psychological aspects of patient rehabilitation are often regarded as vague and difficult to negotiate. This article describes seven common psychological challenges that patients experience with a newly acquired disability or during recovery from major illness (Moos and Schaefer 1984). Strategies are outlined to assist patients to come to terms with their disability and to cope more effectively during rehabilitation.