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Depression is a condition that affects people every single day and affects how they think, feel, and even behave. This can appear after surgeries too, including ostomy. About a million people have them, and the number is still increasing. This usually results in a loss of control of what’s in your intestines and how you expel it. Studies have shown that those with ostomies have decreased quality of life in terms of health, and of course difficulty with different aspects of their life, including sexual relationships, appearance, and how they travel.
The biggest thing is of course, insecurities. This is a big part of it, and a lot of negative impact happens due to the changes in their psychological states. Patients have new challenges and they need to learn how to live with an ostomy bag now, which of course creates psychosocial transitions which are awkward for people.
Many who have ostomies feel fear, sadness, anguish, and even helplessness. It can also prompt those self-depreciation experiences, including feelings of mutilation, loss of self-esteem and health, and of course reduce efficiency of oneself, and a sense of uselessness and of course incapacitation, amongst other things.
Many stoma patients will experience changes within their lives that’s related to their state, and of course their social network, and of course, aggravating feelings of insecurity and rejection too.
Having a stoma bag also causes insecurities related to gas, leakage, and odors too, mostly at night, especially when leakage occurs, and of course which side is best for them to sleep on. This causes isolation and depression.
This can make people feel anxious, embarrassed y their new lifestyle, and affect their overall self-image and the like. Many who have ostomy bags also have issues with their diet, and their clothing. This is something that is adapted with time, and many times, the changes in body image to this aren’t fully documented.
These symptoms start up usually within the first three months after surgery, such as anxiousness, depressed moods, panic, social phobia, and generalized anxiety.
How do you overcome this then? Well, you should get professional mental health to begin with this. Getting cognitive behavioral therapy, or adaptive therapy can help you with adjusting to the changes that you make. Sometimes, if you have aggression it makes the situation much more difficult. It also is a bit scary going to new places, especially if there aren’t too many toilets.
But, seeing a therapist and getting help can assist you. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to other ostomates to cope with the experiences, in order to help figure out your everyday routine and adaption process.
The problems that occur in this usually cause negative physical and mental impacts. But, with the revolution of new ostomy patches, it will help you get better care, and new pouches also have advancements with decreasing the instance of ballooning, leakage, and odor.
The best thing to do, is of course to talk to your doctor about this, and get the help that you need to cope with ostomy issues. You owe it to yourself to get the assistance necessary, and the help that you deserve. Far too many people ignore the signs that they need help with their ostomy care and will instead hold back. But, if you can get mental help through therapy and counseling, especially those who deal with the anxiety ostomates face, you’ll be much happier, and way better off too.
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