Recovering mentally after a car accident takes time. Car accidents are the number one cause of PTSD in the United States. Many people feel shaken, anxious, or fearful long after their physical injuries start to heal. Most of us associate car accident trauma with physical injuries, but long after the physical scars fade, the emotional and psychological ones still persist.
People who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in car crashes may develop anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, so wondering how long it’s going to take for you to get back to normal is pretty, well, normal. Unfortunately, mental health treatment isn’t as linear or predictable as treating physical injuries. You may need more time than you realize to recover, as well as intensive therapy.
In many cases, mental health treatment can be part of a car accident claim. A Greenville car accident lawyer can explain how mental health treatment may be handled as part of a claim.
What mental health conditions are commonly caused by car accidents?
Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a serious car wreck. Car crashes are traumatic events, from the sudden violence of the impact to fear for yourself and loved ones in the car with you. PTSD can show up as flashbacks, trouble sleeping, or feeling on edge. If these feelings do not fade with time, a mental health professional can help.
With time and treatment, you can often ease the severity of PTSD and start living more normally. But PTSD is not the only condition you could suffer after a wreck.
Anxiety, specifically situational anxiety, is common. You may have panic attacks when you pass near the site of the wreck, or even be unable to get into a car in the days following the accident. A combination of talk therapy and medication may help ease your anxiety, but it’s best to get a diagnosis from a mental health professional.
Depression is another common mental health condition triggered by car accidents. It’s especially common for people who have been catastrophically injured, disabled, or have permanent scarring and disfigurement. The changes in your abilities, the inability to enjoy activities you used to love, or the impact of your disability on your career can all trigger the onset of depression. Left untreated, depression causes plenty of mental distress, but it can also affect your physical health.
Changes in how you feel after a wreck are real and worth paying attention to. Talk to a professional about what’s going on, and be sure to loop your lawyer into your treatment so it can be appropriately documented.
Tips to help recover from car accident trauma and safely drive again
Even if you aren’t diagnosed with a mental health condition after the wreck, you could still be quite shaken up and uneasy following the crash. It’s important to talk about your feelings with trusted friends and family members who can provide valuable support and reassurance in the weeks following a crash.
You can also use one or more of these tips to help you recenter yourself after the crash:
Practice self-care
Self-care includes taking care of your physical health, nutrition, and sleep hygiene. Light exercise (as long as you’re able), spending time outside, or journaling your feelings can all help you feel more balanced and in control.
Use coping strategies
Coping strategies help ease the loss of control you feel after a wreck. Minimize your “to-do” lists and responsibilities for a while, so you can concentrate on getting your mental well-being in check. Don’t be afraid to take extra time with tasks, and talk to your employer about reducing your workload for a while.
Practice mindfulness
Try to start a meditation practice. There are breathing exercises and relaxation techniques you can learn to help you focus on the present rather than reliving the accident. You can also use these techniques to help ease your anxiety and manage panic attacks.
Take a defensive driving course
Even though you didn’t cause the wreck, you may feel safer and more in control after learning defensive driving skills. And getting back behind the wheel under the guidance of a trained professional may help you feel confident enough to start driving sooner rather than later.
Legal help securing compensation for car accident trauma
The long-term effects of a traumatic event, like a high-speed car crash, can linger for years afterwards. If you now have a fear of driving, your ability to work or care for your family may be impacted. The financial impact can be tremendous; when you work with Smith Jordan Law, we account for future damages and your immediate losses when negotiating your settlement.
Medical and mental health records are often used to support these types of claims. If you have questions about your recovery or your rights after a crash, Smith Jordan Law offers free consultations. Call (864) 343-2222 to talk with a lawyer.