Strategies for Enhancing Your Mental Well-being Following a Car Accident
We often overlook the signs of mental health problems, brushing them off as just “stress” and believing that things will return to normal soon. When we’re dealing with major events like a car accident or a sports injury, we’re even more likely to dismiss these issues. Even minor car accidents can be unsettling and cause a spike in blood pressure. Major accidents can lead to depression, anxiety, and other unpleasant symptoms.
It’s crucial to recognize what is normal and what might require a few sessions with a therapist. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one mental health condition that is often misunderstood. Many people think it only affects those who have gone through extreme situations like soldiers in war or kidnap victims. However, PTSD can develop from events that aren’t necessarily dangerous, such as the sudden death of a loved one. Symptoms usually appear soon after the event, but they can also start years later.
PTSD symptoms fall into categories like “re-avoiding symptoms,” which include flashbacks and nightmares, and “avoidance symptoms,” such as avoiding places or objects that remind you of the trauma. For example, someone who has been in a serious car accident might avoid driving on the freeway, or calling their insurance company might cause anxiety. Similarly, a gym injury might keep someone from ever returning to work out.
The intensity of PTSD symptoms can vary greatly. You might feel fine for a week, then suddenly be overwhelmed by memories of the incident. If you’re struggling to regain control of your life or have disturbing thoughts that last more than a month, it’s time to see a doctor or mental health professional. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately.
Depending on the accident, you might have legal options too. If the other driver was reckless or negligent, you could contact a personal injury attorney to discuss filing a lawsuit. For some, getting justice in court can be a step toward healing; for others, the thought of reliving the accident in court might be too distressing. It’s worth getting a free consultation with a lawyer, but there are other ways to move forward if that doesn’t work out.
Severe injuries, especially sports-related ones, might have required hospitalization or physical therapy. If you’ve received help from medical professionals, you might consider paying it forward. Allied health degree programs can prepare you to care for others in need.
No matter how you were injured, you can overcome it and continue to live a healthy life!
