The Canadian Transportation Safety Board reported that there are approximately 160,000 car accidents in the country each year. Normally, when people think of traffic collisions, they associate them with physical injuries, and the attention often remains in that area. But the effects of accidents are more than just physical. A third of car accident survivors also experience various forms of mental health issues, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Just like how physical injuries can change someone’s life after an accident, mental traumas can be debilitating too. Though not always attended, mental health after an accident needs to be approached with extreme urgency. Addressing physical injuries is only a part of the overall process to fully recover from accident trauma; you need mental and emotional healing to complete it.
Motor vehicle accidents are distressing and traumatic experiences. It is common for people to be in a state of shock days or weeks following the crash. But while it is normal for some to be visibly shaken, an accident can cause more damage than you may realize. Some of the most common forms of mental trauma after an accident are:
For many who are in a traffic accident, shock can fade away over time. But sometimes, those feelings remain and become stronger, enough to overwhelm you and change the way you think or act. Any reoccurring anxiety, thoughts, or dreams about the accident are signs of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. 1 in 10 individuals who suffered a collision develops PTSD.
The risk of PTSD involves a variety of factors, such as the type of crash and the social, economic, and legal repercussions that followed a crash. A driver who felt responsible for involving a close friend or family in the crash, for example, is more likely to develop crash-related PTSD.
Another common mental health issue experienced by crash victims is depression or major depressive disorder (MDD). Unfortunately, not many acknowledge how depression can slowly take hold of various aspects of a person’s life. It is important to be aware of and not immediately dismiss the symptoms like anxiety, phobias, sleep disorders, fatigue, or headaches.
Physical injuries and pain from the crash can also worsen depression. Physical limitations and the inability to conduct normal activities because of the injury can trigger depression.
Dissociation is a disorder referring to an individual feeling separate or disconnected from their own body and thoughts. Traumatic events may give the victims the impression that they are disengaged from their surroundings, at times in what may seem like a waking dream. They can also feel emotionally or physically numb and cultivate the belief that the accident didn’t happen to them.
Dissociative disorders are the brain’s self-defence response to minimize or tolerate stress. This, sadly, keeps accident survivors from processing their trauma, hindering effective recovery.
Symptoms of mental and emotional trauma after an accident can range from mild to severe, and their responses can either manifest emotionally or physically.
A person’s risk factor of traumatic events can be determined by the following:
A person experiencing trauma may feel:
Trauma can also cause the following physical responses:
Just as in any sickness, mental health care is crucial to overall recovery and health. Here are some things that may assist you in coping with your feelings after an accident:
To recover from mental trauma, you need to build and maintain a solid support system. It may sound difficult at first, but don’t isolate yourself. Remember that you are not alone and you always have someone to talk to. You don’t necessarily have to talk about the accident if it doesn’t make you feel comfortable. Just being able to talk about what you think or feel can already unburden your mind.
If you don’t have friends or loved ones near you, you can join clubs. This is a great way to build new relationships. Grief counsellors or support groups can also provide you with the needed emotional nourishment.
If your injuries don’t limit you from physical activities, it is important that you stay active and exercise regularly. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins or the happy hormones. Endorphins primarily help you deal with stress and reduce the perception of pain. It can also trigger a positive feeling in your body, warding off anxiety and depression.
Make sure that you consult your doctor before doing any activities so you don’t aggravate any post-accident symptoms.
The days and even weeks following an accident can be an extremely difficult time. To deal with anxiety, practice mindfulness and pay attention to your breathing. Acknowledge your emotions and accept them as they happen.
As much as you focus on getting back to normal, learning how to handle yourself as you recover is also important. Give yourself a break once in a while. Take the time to do things that make you happy. It pays to be patient.
Making healthy choices and maintaining those practices is one way to boost your recovery period and improve your mental health. Get the right amount of sleep, eat a well-balanced diet, and staying hydrated are all great habits that can provide you physical strength and mental clarity.
Driving or riding cars can be hard after an accident. If circumstances already permit you, re-learning and practicing defensive driving can lower your risk of future accidents or injuries. Drive carefully, always wear your seatbelt, avoid distractions, and follow the traffic rules. Avoid driving tired and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs that can affect your judgement.
Traffic accidents may limit what you may be able to do, but only for a short while. It is important to strive towards getting back to your daily activities and routines. Even the mere goal-setting of going back to normal should be enough to keep you motivated. If you feel uncomfortable or scared in the beginning, don’t worry. It’s all part of healing.
The effects of a traffic accident on a person are not limited to physical injuries, it can impact mental and emotional health. The signs and symptoms of mental trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, some of which can be subtle and minimal at first. They can worsen over time if left untreated. Overwhelming or paralyzing emotions after an accident need professional attention and treatment.
Seeking mental health services, in addition to physical therapy, following an accident guarantees you have a safe road to recovery.
If you or a loved one has sustained a motor vehicle accident, schedule a proper psychological assessment and treatment with Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres of Ontario today.
Using advanced tools and processes, we offer a program that will assure you a smooth way to recovery and rehabilitation. Book an appointment now in any of our 6 locations:
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