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An injury or new diagnosis can feel like an emotional roller coaster ride that you never wanted to take.

You may be experiencing change and worry about when and if you will return to your “normal” self.

Uncertainty does not automatically mean bad. The worst-case scenario may never come to pass.

Many clients who come to see me in therapy are coping with an acute injury or health change. For example, they may have sustained an injury while playing a sport or been given a new medical diagnosis. A sudden injury or health change can feel shocking and is often difficult to cope with. You may be trying to adjust to changes in mobility and functioning and worried about when and if you will return to your “normal” self.

Often, the most pressing concern is: Will I get better? And when? The uncertainty is difficult to tolerate. While some injuries or diagnoses have clear treatment plans and timelines, more often it is not crystal clear what someone’s recovery or medical journey will look like. The anxious brain likes to jump to worst-case scenarios when uncertainty exists. It takes a “better safe than sorry” approach, leading us to think about all the possible horrible outcomes so we can be prepared. However, these worst-case scenarios may never come to pass, and anxiety can start to take up more and more space in your daily life.

An injury or new diagnosis can feel like a never-ending emotional roller coaster ride that you never wanted to take. It can be challenging to acknowledge........

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