Post-fall syndrome, also known in our jargon as psychomotor disadaptation syndrome (PDS). This is a syndrome that combines both the physical consequences of a fall and the significant psychological consequences that will increase the fear of falling and that will have a knock-on effect on the physical consequences.

The biggest problem in this psychomotor disadaptation syndrome or post-fall syndrome is this abrupt loss of autonomy that is compounded by the psychological and physical system. To be able to identify these people they are, in general, people who no longer get up from their chair, no longer leave their home.

They then gradually slide into passiveness and total dependence finally sets in. Before reaching this final stage, the first signs of post-traumatic stress induced by the fall must be spotted.

That way, they can be treated psychologically in an almost aggressive manner. Regular, sustained psychological support is needed to work with patients on how they experienced the fall and how to overcome their fear of falling.

At the same time, we need to work with the physiotherapist. He will actually show them that walking is not dangerous. But also that they can resume their usual activity by putting them back in the same situation to prevent them from getting stuck if they are alone in the situation later.