Fear of Becoming Handicapped [VIDEO]

Continuing on with our ‘Fear Of’ series, Dr. Ryan discusses the fear of becoming handicapped. When we think about this specific fear, it’s important to know that it typically is a blend of other fears. Additionally, it’s a pretty common fear that we hear about often.

What to Know 

One thing that you should know is that it’s extremely rare for a vein condition to lead to any serious handicap, but the fear itself is a common one for vein patients - a fear of losing your autonomy or independence. Or, you might not want your body’s appearance to change or be viewed as different. 

Listen to Dr. Ryan below as he talks about some of the ways you can combat this fear. 

Addressing Your Fear 

One thing you’ll need to do is address the fear of becoming handicapped. It takes courage to face that fear and understand it. You're not alone in worrying about not being able to walk...but it shouldn't keep you from living your life. Acknowledge your fear and create a plan to move forward. Here are some helpful options to help you with this process: 

• Find Right Health Care Provider - It's extremely important find a health care provider who will listen and who understands your fear. The right provider will help find solutions for you. 
• Get Medical Information - Talk to your healthcare provider about your specific situation and get the correct information before jumping to any conclusions.
• Ask If Medical Tests Are Needed - Tests can help you confirm what your medical conditions really are and aren't. 
• Start Therapy - This will help you to better understand your medical conditions and the medications used to manage them. There are some things you can do on your own, like physical activity or walking. It could be medical therapy, and your provider can point you in the right direction.

Resolution of Your Fear 

One thing that I have seen for those who have a resolution with this fear is the improvement in physical status and mobility. They then begin to see the progress they’ve made, and with that reassurance, they realize they can keep going. 

Don’t let this fear consume your life. Know that there are treatment options out here before jumping to this scenario. If you’re facing this fear, I encourage you to schedule a free vein screening to see what steps you can take towards finding a solution. Vein screenings are free and can be done virtually or in person.