If you’ve been involved in a car accident, likely, your life will never be the same again. You may even experience PTSD after a car accident a common post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can make it challenging to live life. The good news is that there is help available for those with PTSD: Medical professionals and counselors can help you deal with your symptoms and live a healthy life free of fear.
Medical Care
If you have severe injuries and need immediate medical attention, seek help in the emergency room. If you don’t have any significant injuries, go to your primary care doctor or clinic for more information about how to deal with PTSD from a car accident. The best way to treat PTSD is through therapy. However, if you don’t want to or are not ready to visit a therapist, find someone you can talk to. Talking is the best way to overcome all sorts of traumatic experiences.
Talk to a Counselor
A counselor or therapist can help you process your feelings and work through the trauma effectively. It doesn’t have to be a scary experience and even if it is, there are ways for you to cope that don’t involve talking about what happened with anyone else (for example, meditating). But make sure that whoever you choose is qualified and experienced enough for this type of work before trusting them with your mental health.
Don’t let PTSD Disrupt your Life
You may have had a rough few years after your accident, but that doesn’t mean you need to let it derail your life. There are ways to avoid letting PTSD get in the way of everything else that matters.
- Avoid Alcohol, Drugs, and Self-Medication: Alcohol can make PTSD worse by causing flashbacks or nightmares that interfere with sleep. In contrast, drugs can trigger panic attacks and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Avoid Other Triggers of the Accident: Avoiding places where memories may arise is one way to prevent painful memories from ruining your day-to-day life; try not to go out alone or have people around when you go out.
- Avoid Driving: If possible, avoid driving altogether if it causes any symptoms of PTSD, like difficulty concentrating on tasks at hand or feeling overwhelmed by having too much on your mind at once.
Avoid Negative Emotions
Avoiding triggers is a good idea, but it’s not always possible. For example, you might be able to avoid some of the people involved in your accident. However, if you have children or other family members who saw the crash or were injured, you may find that avoiding them isn’t possible. In this case, try to manage emotions by remembering what happened, so they don’t become overwhelming.
If you’re experiencing trauma after an accident, it’s essential to seek help. It’s also important to recognize that many resources can help you recover from the experience. Many people traumatized by car accidents have found success with counseling and other alternative treatments.