Most people know that being in a car accident can lead to painful and even life-threatening injuries. However, the mental and emotional effects of a collision can also turn your life upside-down. Drivers and passengers can experience mental health challenges such as anxiety, fear, and depression after a crash.
While these emotional conditions can feel overwhelming, it is critical to remember that psychological trauma and stress are common occurrences after accidents. Knowing your feelings are not uncommon is the first step toward becoming free of them. However, if your emotional trauma begins to make your life feel unmanageable, various techniques, resources, and strategies are available to help you learn how to cope with mental trauma and return to your regular routines after a car accident.
An experienced car accident lawyer at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you seek compensation for the emotional trauma and the physical injuries you have suffered in a crash caused by another motorist. We are honored to help injured Kentuckians rebuild their lives after serious accidents. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Being in a serious car accident is a traumatic event. It can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some common symptoms of post-traumatic stress after a crash include:
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories of the accident
- Nightmares
- Avoiding driving or being in vehicles
- Feeling jittery and on edge
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or anger issues
- Lack of concentration
- Feeling emotionally numb
If any of these effects persist for weeks or months after the accident, you should see a mental health professional as soon as possible. With time and treatment, you can manage the symptoms and regain your sense of normalcy.
8 Tips to Recover from Your Trauma and Safely Drive Again
Our minds can be just as susceptible to injury as our bodies in a collision. Here are some tips for handling mental trauma and relieving anxiety so you can feel confident behind the wheel again.
Handling the Initial Shock
You might be in shock in the hours and days following a traffic crash. You may have difficulty wrapping your head around what has happened or understanding what you are feeling.
The most important thing to do at this point is to visit a medical professional for a thorough examination. Your doctor can determine whether your shock is masking the pain of any injuries. They can also check for brain trauma, which can have long-term psychological consequences if left untreated.
Professional Therapist and/or Psychiatrist Help
While counseling and psychotherapy do not carry the stigma they once did, many people still feel reluctant to seek this type of medical help. However, mental health professionals can provide treatment that can help if you are struggling to recover from car accident trauma. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications to help you manage post-accident anxiety or depression more effectively.
Self-Care Practices
Mental health therapy after a car accident need not always come in the form of professional help. Many self-care practices can help you rebuild your confidence, including:
- Exercise (check with your doctor to ensure it is safe to exercise with any injuries you might have)
- Spending time in nature
- Warm baths
- Keeping a journal
- Talking to loved ones about the experience
- Getting plenty of sleep
What works best will vary from person to person. Listen to your intuition about what small steps or acts can comfort you.
Coping Strategies: Managing Anxiety and Stress
Many of us lead stressful lives, which can exacerbate the psychological challenges experienced after an accident. Reducing your daily stressors can help you recover more quickly.
- Minimize your to-do lists in the days and weeks following the accident.
- Let your colleagues and family members know that you might need to do things at a slower pace while recovering from a car accident.
- Minimizing the time you spend on social media can reduce worry and anxiety.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Studies have shown that practices such as meditation and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) can be effective ways of overcoming PTSD. Finding a course in Lexington or online can be an excellent way of confronting your trauma with awareness and self-compassion.
The Role of Social Support
Many people feel tempted to withdraw socially in the aftermath of a car accident. However, surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family may be one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect your mental health. Scientists have demonstrated that social support significantly decreases the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic incident. It also significantly improves mental health outcomes for those who already have PTSD.
Grieving and Acceptance
When it comes to the challenges of life after the accident, coping is not the same as pretending your problems do not exist. You have every right to feel sadness, anger, fear, and grief when you suffer injuries in an accident due to another party’s negligence. Giving yourself space to process these feelings can help you move forward when you are ready.
Building Resilience
Taking deliberate steps to address your post-accident trauma can help you feel stronger on the other side of it. If you approach your emotional injuries in a healthy and comprehensive way, you can develop coping strategies and tools that will serve you for the rest of your life.
Returning to Normalcy: Driving Again
Getting on the road again after an accident can feel overwhelming for many people. When you are ready, you can start by:
- Ensuring your car is safe to drive
- Asking someone you trust to sit in the passenger seat on your first few journeys
- Starting slowly, in areas with little or no traffic
With the proper support and a healthy amount of patience, you can reclaim your confidence behind the wheel.
We Are Always Here to Help You
If someone else’s negligence has caused you physical or psychological harm in a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer understand the challenges you are facing after a serious accident. We have the Kentucky Courage to help you demand full compensation to get your life back on track. Call us today at (877) 809-5352 or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
