Question

What is phantom limb?

Do phantom perceptions arise from erroneous nerural signals from an amputated stump, or from residual activity in the brain networks formerly assigned to the missing part?

Discuss some of the psychological distress experienced by individuals who suffee from phantom limb?

What treatments can help patients better control their phantom sensations and pain?

How can someone who had never heard of "phantom limb sensations" cause distress for those who experience this condition?

Answer 1

Answer:-

Phantom sensations can occur following amputation surgery. These are the sensations which are perceived as feeling presence of amputated limb. It arises due to erroneous neural signals and can be called as neuropathic pain.

It is a distressing condition because pain is felt in the area, where absent limb was previously present.

Following treatments are applied:

1) nerve blocks are helpful for stopping erroneous sensations .

2) antineuropathic medications.

If a person who had never heard of phantom sensations, experience such a case( of phantom limb), it can be distressing for the patient , on a psychological basis, and can interfere with getting proper diagnosis and treatment.