I have been in a lot of pain lately. Thankfully I’ve not been in an accident, it’s just fibro pain etc., but if you’ve been in an accident and you are in pain, today’s post is very important. I can agree and maybe you will too that you are likely to focus on your physical injuries if you have been involved in an accident or any traumatic event. Most of the victims pay more attention to their physical injuries and ignore their mental health. It is essential not to disregard psychological symptoms after an accident or injuries and seek treatment when the symptoms begin to affect your daily life.
What happens when you experience a traumatic event?
During a traumatic event like a car accident, your body’s protection takes effect and produces a stress response, which may have various physical symptoms for instance;
- Increased heart rate
- Increased sweating
- Reduced stomach activity
- Increased blood pressure
After the event, most of the victims might experience shock and denial; it then takes some days to experience other feelings such as anger, guilt, and sadness.
Emotional and Mental Issues after an Accident
According to the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs, car accidents are the leading cause of mental trauma for males and the second leading cause of trauma for females. You can experience slight physical injuries during the accident; however, your mental health condition might be shattered. Traumatic memories tend to trigger long-term mental and emotional health conditional like anxiety as well as depression.
Symptoms of emotional distress after a car accident
After an accident, the victim experiences some symptoms and conditions of mental health deterioration which include;
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Hallucinations and disturbed sleep patterns
- Withdrawal from social events and human contact
- Rage and frustration
It is always important to see a mental health counselor as soon as possible if you think you are suffering from mental and emotional trauma after a car accident. Avoid secondary complications of emotional trauma like work conflict and relationship problems by seeking help immediately.
Long term mental impacts after an accident
According to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, there were incidences and developments of post-traumatic-stress –disorder, phobic travel anxiety, general anxiety, and depression that were reported by a third of the victims at three months and one-year follow-up. Some psychological effects can develop long after the accident.
Seek treatment
Seeking treatment is the first step to mental health recovery. Find a counselor who can help you heal. Nowadays, there are online support websites where you can talk to a psychologist about your mental health problem. A qualified psychologist can help you by giving you guidance and recommendations.
Taking Legal Actions
Depending on your situation, you can take legal steps. There is a chance to seek compensation, no matter the type of injury that resulted in your mental health problem. Contact a personal injury lawyer to find out. Legal actions may include claims for the out of pocket costs of treatments and the compensation for the physical pain and the emotional distress caused by the personal injury that was a result of negligence or a wrongful act like a motor vehicle accident caused by over speeding and recklessness.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Children are more vulnerable to being traumatized after an accident. You cannot force a child to recover from traumatic stress. The best way is to take part in their healing process, provide them with an opportunity to talk about what they went through and taking them to see a therapist.
