No
one thinks twice about treating physical injuries that result from a car
accident. First responders arrive at the accident scene immediately to assess
and address any physical damage. If you have whiplash, you’ll likely visit a
doctor multiple times until your pain becomes controllable. If you experience
long-term health effects, you’ll continue to visit a physical therapist to
learn coping strategies for returning to normal life.
However,
unlike physical injuries, emotional injuries can be easy to ignore. We often
tell ourselves we just need to “get over” the anxiety and PTSD (post traumatic
stress disorder)
that often follow a car accident, even though we would never tell ourselves to
“get over” a broken leg or a brain injury.
Being
the victim of another person’s error is traumatic, no matter the extent of the
accident. This emotional trauma from a head and brain injury can be just as
disabling as a physical injury, which means that coping emotionally is just as
important to your quality of life as coping physically.
Don’t
neglect your mental and emotional health after an accident. Instead, follow these
tips to assess your emotional damage, manage your anxiety, and start feeling
better.
1. Learn about PTSD (Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder)
We
commonly associate post-traumatic stress disorder with people who undergo
extreme stress, such as soldiers who have been in combat situations. However,
PTSD can affect anyone who lives through something stressful, including a car
accident. In fact, according to a 2008 study in Canada, 9.2% of all respondents
experienced lifetime PTSD, and 76.1% of participants had lived through at least
one situation that could have caused PTSD.
Not
everyone who goes through something stressful has PTSD—you may or may not
experience its symptoms after your car accident. However, you should
familiarize yourself with some of the signs and symptoms so you can recognize
them in yourself and others who were in the car with you.
If
these symptoms lessen after a few weeks, you may be suffering from Acute Stress
Disorder (ASD). If symptoms last much longer than that, you’re more likely to
have PTSD.
While
no one is sure exactly what causes certain people to develop PTSD over others,
chronic pain can be a large factor. According to
a 2005 study, ongoing PTSD symptoms in car accident victims can be
linked to ongoing physical disability and a lack of pain management.
Remember,
you should be compensated for any emotional harm that occurs in a car accident
– not just physical harm. Talk to your
personal injury lawyer about any PTSD symptoms you have and
treatments you are receiving.
2. Learn How to Manage Anxiety
Whether
or not you have ASD or PTSD, heightened anxiety after an accident is common.
Recognize that anxiety is both normal and manageable. Try the following things
when you find yourself becoming anxious:
- Practice
mindful breathing. Take slow, deep breaths.
- Focus on the
world around you. Notice physical objects in the present moment instead of
mentally reliving the accident.
- Learn and use
muscle relaxation techniques.
A
therapist or mental health professional also can help you learn
anxiety-controlling techniques specific to your personality and situation.
Contact a mental health specialist if you feel unable to cope with anxiety, if
anxiety interrupts your everyday life, or if you’re worried about your anxiety
in any way.
3. Take Care of Yourself
You’ve
just been through a very scarring experience. It’s okay to give yourself time
to cope. Be patient with yourself; as with physical injuries, emotional scars
take some time to heal.
In
the meantime, focus on feeling as good as you can. Eat healthy foods, drink
plenty of water, and do some light exercise, if your injuries allow for it. Do
something that you particularly enjoy, like reading a book or listening to your
favorite music.
4. Talk to Someone
Suffering
silently can only add to your mental anguish and distress. Talk to a trusted
friend or family member about your experience and how you’re coping. You don’t
have to share details of the accident if you don’t want to. Just make sure
someone is available to help you process your own emotions.
It
can also be helpful to find a therapist who can help you work through your
issues. He or she is qualified to give you advice on managing your stress and
coping with your trauma. Talk to your medical provider about how to find the
right therapist.
You
don’t need to suffer alone after an accident. Make sure you seek the right
treatment for your emotional injuries, not just your physical ones. Similarly,
you deserve to be compensated for all types of damages incurred. Talk to your Best Personal Injury Lawyer
about how your accident affected your mental health, and then make
sure you receive the treatment you both need and deserve.
