Car crashes can be extremely stressful events that leave victims with long-lasting emotional wounds.
From the moment of impact to the aftermath, car crashes instill feelings of fear, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress. However, it is possible to overcome the emotional trauma and move forward in a healthy way. The road to recovery begins with acknowledging your emotions and seeking support. In this article, we will explore some steps you can take to overcome the emotional impact of a car accident.
The Subjective Nature of Trauma and PTSD
According to Olivia Verhulst, a licensed psychotherapist practicing in both New York and Florida via telehealth, trauma and its subsequent symptoms are highly personal experiences. She says it varies significantly between individuals. She notes that the same applies to the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the long-term impacts.
Not every traumatic experience leads to a PTSD diagnosis. Those diagnosed with the condition may find their recovery follows a unique path and timeline.
We all know that no two traumatic experiences are exactly the same. Similarly, the journey of dealing with trauma and potential PTSD is uniquely subjective. Therefore, treatment must be a tailored approach that acknowledges the individualized nature of psychological trauma and recovery.
According to Mind, traumatic experiences can differ significantly from one individual to another. A wide range of distressing or perilous events may trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These can include:
– Vehicle accidents
– Abuse, harassment, or bullying, including discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity
– Abduction, hostage situations, or other life-threatening scenarios
– Violent incidents such as military combat, terrorist attacks, or physical assaults
– Witnessing others being harmed or killed, particularly in professional settings (sometimes referred to as vicarious trauma)
– Occupations involving regular exposure to distressing situations, like emergency services or military personnel
– Surviving natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, or health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic
– Traumatic childbirth experiences, either as the mother or a witnessing partner
– Losing a loved one in particularly distressing circumstances
– Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization or treatment in mental health facilities
– Receiving a diagnosis of a life-threatening condition
One survivor shared their experience: “I was the victim of a mugging, and about a year later, I was on the subway when police attempted to apprehend an armed individual. Though I wasn’t physically harmed in either incident, during the second event, I genuinely feared for my life and thought I might witness multiple fatalities.”
Understanding PTSD Following a Car Crash
A person may suffer from or witness a disturbing event that leaves them with PTSD. Each year, many adults in the United States alone are impacted by this disorder.
According to Forbes, initially, the condition was primarily associated with combat veterans and referred to as “shell shock.” However, mental health professionals now recognize that anyone who undergoes a traumatic experience can develop this condition.
It’s important to distinguish PTSD from the typical challenges people face when recovering from an upsetting incident.
Many people who experience a car crash or other traumatic event may struggle temporarily but improve with proper self-care. However, it can persist for extended periods and significantly disrupt daily life. It’s interesting to note that, among civilians in general, car crashes are the leading cause of PTSD.
Approaches for Handling PTSD Following a Car Accident
Don’t Carry The Legal Burden Alone
If you’re experiencing PTSD following a car accident, consulting with a qualified auto accident attorney is crucial. A skilled lawyer can help you:
- Gather evidence to support your PTSD claim
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File a lawsuit if necessary to secure fair compensation
Consider a recent case in early July in Edwardsville. There was a two-car collision that resulted in one driver requiring extrication and hospitalization. The extremity was so much that the car door had to be opened using battery-powered hydraulic tools because it was jammed from the collision.
Such incidents can cause significant emotional trauma. In these situations, an experienced Edwardsville personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable support, allowing you to focus on recovery while they handle the legal complexities.
A common concern among accident victims is the expense of legal counsel. Nonetheless, the majority of personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis, making their services affordable for everybody. According to TorHoerman Law, here’s what you need to know about contingency fees:
- No upfront costs
- Lawyers receive a percentage of the settlement or verdict
- You only have to pay attorney expenses if you prevail in court.
This fee schedule ensures committed representation by balancing the interests of the client and the lawyer. By working on a contingency basis, personal injury attorneys ensure that accident victims can access quality legal representation without additional financial strain.
Start Journaling
Journaling allows people to express and process difficult thoughts and emotions related to their traumatic experiences in a private, healthy way. Putting feelings down on paper can help make sense of what happened.
Follow these steps to begin journaling about your experiences:
- Find a comfortable space. If at all possible, find a peaceful area where you won’t be bothered. However, journaling can still help even with some noise or limited time.
- Reflect on your experiences. Spend a few minutes considering the ways in which traumatic experiences in the past have influenced your ideas and emotions.
- Express yourself through writing. According to Very Well Mind, begin writing about your deepest insights and emotions related to your experiences. Aim to write undisturbed for 20 minutes each time. Any writing can still provide benefits.
- Review your writing. Once you finish, read back over what you wrote. Notice any shifts in your perspectives or emotions from the process of writing.
- Anticipate emotional responses. While writing can ultimately help with processing, it may also stir up difficult feelings in the short term. Have a plan for managing any distress that arises.
- Develop a writing practice. Go over steps 1 through 5 again, focusing on the same subject for a minimum of two additional sessions per day. Consistent reflective writing over time can help bring more clarity and organization to your experiences.
Prioritize Restful Sleep
Fatigue severely impacts driving ability, increasing accident risk. Those with PTSD should ensure adequate sleep before operating a vehicle.
National Safety Council (NSC) reports that driving while excessively tired can impair function, similar to driving drunk. Going more than 20 hours without sleep risks unsafe performance. When addressing PTSD symptoms through driving exposure, getting quality rest is especially important. Also, avoid relying on caffeine to combat tiredness, as it could exacerbate anxiety.
Consider Taking Driving Lessons
For some people with PTSD from a car accident, enrolling in driving lessons can help with exposure to driving-related triggers. Working with an experienced instructor provides a safe way to face driving fears again gradually.
Through practice in a controlled setting, it may help reduce anxiety and uneasy feelings about getting behind the wheel. With an instructor providing guidance and feedback, you can learn coping techniques to manage stress responses.
FAQs
1. How can I manage sadness following a vehicle collision?
A: Coping with post-accident emotions often requires professional help. A mental health expert can guide you through processing the event, reducing anxiety, and re-establishing your daily routines. They can also assist in gradually rebuilding your confidence behind the wheel. Support from loved ones, combined with professional care and controlled exposure, can significantly aid your recovery.
2. What causes trauma after an auto accident?
A: Post-accident trauma can stem from various sources. Certain activities, particularly driving, might trigger memories of the incident. Additionally, sensory cues reminiscent of the crash – like specific sights, sounds, or smells – may provoke flashbacks or intense emotional responses.
3. Why might I feel emotionally numb after a car crash?
A: Emotional numbness is a potential symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder. Severe stress from sudden, traumatic events like car accidents can activate intense protective responses in our bodies and minds. This reaction can persist long after the danger has passed, leading to feelings of detachment or numbness as a coping mechanism.
In the end, every individual’s road to overcoming PTSD is different. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself as you take tiny steps forward every day toward your goals. Find support from loved ones and professionals, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Make self-care a priority as you learn healthy coping strategies. In time, upsetting triggers may gradually lose their hold over you. You have so much strength within – you’ve survived a traumatic experience and can survive its aftermath, too. Just have hope that brighter days lie ahead as you continue moving forward.