A PRACTICAL

Emotional
Health
Your emotional health is just as important as your
physical health. Managing problems and addressing
concerns sooner rather than later is an important
part of your recovery process.
Sexuality and Intimacy
Intimacy and sexual expression are an important
part of every person’s wellbeing. Many changes
can occur to your private life when you are affected
by injury, illness or disability. Changes may be both
physical and psychological.
For example you may be feeling tiredness and have
a reduced desire for intimacy. You may also struggle
with fears of rejection by your loved ones.
Some of the things that you can do include:
focusing on your pleasure and your partner’s
pleasure. Don’t keep thinking about how you want
to perform. Sexuality, sexual desire and sexual
functioning are often affected, which can have a
significant impact on your quality of life, health
and wellbeing.
Unfortunately, mainly due to embarrassment, we
often don’t receive or access help in this area of
our health. Even if you feel embarrassed or uneasy,
it is important that you seek assistance for your
sexual health concerns.
We are all sexual beings. The term refers to all of
the ways we express loving feelings and emotions.
Our whole body responds to sexual attraction.
Sexuality includes feelings of arousal expressed by
touching, kissing and caressing.
After an amputation you may want to find new
positions that are more comfortable. For instance
you could add some pillows if you have problems
with your balance. Explore and enjoy finding out
ways that work best for you and your partner. (3)
(3) Houston S: Body Image, Relationships and Sexuality after Amputation, In: First Step
Volume 4, 2005 (internet cited 2013 Nov 22) Available from http://www.amputee-coalition.org/easyread/first_step_2005/altered_states-ez.html.
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