After the Diagnosis of RSD: Stages of Grief
I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. Diseases that lead to the development of chronic pain can be devastating for a loved one and their family. According to some of the statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health:
- More than 100 million people in the United States live with chronic pain
- One in ten Americans will deal with pain every day for three months or more
- The most common locations for chronic pain are the lower back, neck, and head
- Chronic pain is the number one reason why Americans claim long-term disability
One of the diseases that can cause someone to develop chronic pain is called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This disease leads to chronic inflammation of the nerves which causes them to misfire. The brain interprets these signals as pain, which leads to the primary symptom. When someone has been diagnosed with RSD, they often feel an extreme or overwhelming sense of despair. It is important to understand this grief and the stages that people may go through.
Managing Grief Related to RSD
RSD can be challenging to cope with and people with a new diagnosis will experience different stages of grief. It is important to note that some people may experience these stages in a different order or skip a stage altogether.
Denial: When people first receive their diagnosis, they may refuse to believe it. They have often undergone dozens of tests for different diseases that were all negative. Why should this one be any different?
Anger: Individuals may feel angry at the insistence of their diagnosis. They may vent on social media. They may take their anger out on family or friends, who should be patient and give their loved one some space.
Bargaining: There may be attempts to swap their diagnosis out for a different one that has a defined treatment. There will be searching for alternative explanations and answers.
Depression: It is natural for people to feel down and emotionally distressed over their chronic pain, their diagnosis, and an uncertain prognosis. They may feel like their diagnosis defines them in some way, which it should not.
Acceptance: Finally, individuals with a diagnosis of RSD will come to terms with their diagnosis and start to recover.
This grief can be overwhelming for people to manage and can quickly lead to severe depression. It is not a coincidence that people with RSD deal with a much higher rate of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts than the average population. Because of this, everyone with RSD should seek treatment from a mental health professional. Compassionate help is available to those who reach out for help.
Seeking Treatment from a Mental Health Professional
While many people with RSD will manage their symptoms with massage, pain medication, nerve blocks, surgical transections, and even electrical nerve stimulation, one of the most important treatments is seeking help from a mental health professional. Because of the intense grief that people with RSD feel, they are prone to developing depression and suicidal ideation. A mental health professional can look for warning signs that these symptoms are coming and help manage them before they appear. Furthermore, a medical provider has seen these stages of grief before and can help an individual work through them. This can help prevent people with RSD from developing depression or suicidal thoughts. A mental health professional should be a cornerstone of RSD treatment.
Assistance from a Legal Professional
The grief related to a diagnosis of RSD can be overwhelming for someone to deal with. They may feel like there is no hope for the future and that they will feel the symptoms of this disease for the rest of their life. It is important to note that there are multiple treatment options available and millions of people living with RSD in the United States lead meaningful, productive, fulfilling lives. For help with this syndrome, meeting with an RSD lawyer in Sacramento can be a good idea. A trained legal professional can help a family assess all of the options available to them and make a decision that acts in their best interests. While I cannot guarantee a verdict or settlement, I can promise that I will work my hardest to represent your family’s interests. Regardless of who you decide to go with, remember that you deserve a caring lawyer who understands your needs and will work to represent you. Please, contact me today with any questions.
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Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. If you or a family member have developed this painful condition, please give me a call at 916-382-0693 for free, friendly advice.
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