For those who have been hurt due to a car crash, may suffer from a variety of serious physical and financial damages. The one aspect most people may not realize, is they could start developing mental fears and difficulties associated with the accident. This can be especially true if the crash resulted in a fatality, life-threatening condition or agony. Mental and emotional injuries should be treated as equally important as physical symptoms, as a reputable car accident lawyer Memphis, TN, trusts can attest.
Who should someone turn to if they are having mental difficulties?
Victims of a car accident should turn to friends, family or a therapist to work through any fears or emotions. Whether this person was the driver, a passenger, a witness who saw the accident or helped at the scene, all can be affected in some way. Every person is unique. One person may be very unsettled after an accident, while others can heal and move on more quickly. A person should not experience judgement for having mental injuries after such a painful and scary life event.
What are some signs of abnormal fears & anxiety after a crash?
Some level of fear and nervousness surrounding cars and driving can be normal after being involved in a car accident. However, a person may need mental health help if they refuse to get into a car even after some time has gone by since the accident happened. Other symptoms that may require professional treatment include:
- Excessive worrying
- High levels of activity
- Impatience
- Irritability & anger
- Unable to fully relax
- Restless sleep
- Lack of energy
- Trouble concentrating
- Confusion
- Panic attacks
- Change in behavior
- Withdrawing from personal relationships
What can someone do to help take care of themselves while recovering?
While recovering from a car collision, there are many ways someone can take care of themselves emotionally and mentally.
- Be patient with yourself: you must remember that healing may not happen right away. Treat yourself kindly and be compassionate towards yourself when healing from physical, mental, emotional and financial injuries.
- Do not neglect your necessities: while resting, make sure you are practicing healthy eating habits, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding excessive use of alcohol or drugs. Many people may turn to self-medication to numb emotions. This can only make things worse as you may not be truly dealing with your feelings and fears.
- Talk to someone you trust about what happened: sometimes, talking about the car accident out loud to another person can help you work through difficult emotions. If you feel as though loved ones are not quite able to help, you may want to consider turning to a therapist.
When should someone seek help from a professional?
If you find yourself becoming concerned about the kinds of feelings, thoughts, or emotions you are experiencing, it may be time to consult with a therapist. It may also be a good time to reach out to a professional if you no longer participate in hobbies you usually enjoy, feel down and depressed or loved ones are expressing concerns.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Patterson Bray, for their insight into car accidents.
