Mental HealthLooking After Your Mental Health After a Traumatic Accident

Recovering from physical injuries following a bad accident like a car crash can be long and painful. But many people don’t realise their mental health can also be affected by such a catastrophic and traumatic event. And it can take a lot longer to mentally recover from an accident, leaving you still suffering and struggling with your life long after your physical wounds have healed.

You don’t have to have been injured in a vehicle accident or been the driver of one of the vehicles involved in the crash to suffer mental issues afterwards, says therapist Dominique Apollon. She says passengers and even bystanders can also be negatively affected by such an event and have problems with their mental health later on.

Apollon points out that not everyone may realise the trauma they experienced from a car crash because they automatically assume a distressing event is something like the death of a family member or a major natural disaster, such as an earthquake. But still, they could be suffering with their mental health for years afterwards and perhaps wondering what the cause of their problems is.

Signs of Trauma after a Car Accident

If you’ve been involved in a vehicle collision that left you and others with injuries, or some may have died in the accident, you may be suffering from a degree of post-traumatic stress. The first thing everyone needs to do following a crash is to get checked out by a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re injured.

You may have internal or other injuries that are not yet evident, as it can take several days for some symptoms to appear due to high levels of adrenaline in your system in the moments after the crash that help temporarily block out pain. But if you’re already suffering from shock and stress, you may feel reluctant to go to the hospital or see your doctor.

You might also be feeling generally uneasy about everything and find it hard to settle and feel comfortable — this is another sign of post-traumatic stress. On the other hand, ignoring your doctor can also make you feel that you don’t need an attorney to handle your case. This decision can not only affect your mental health but also your finances. Without an attorney, you might not be able to prove your innocence in the mishap, and eventually, you’ll have to compensate at a lower amount than you deserve. To know more about how an attorney works to better your mental and financial health, click URL here and find your answers. Another is anxiety about getting into cars, even if you’re a passenger. You may feel fear about traveling in cars and want to avoid them entirely, because of what happened. Other signs of post-traumatic stress are depression, irritability and trouble sleeping at night, and having nightmares when you do. Another is anxiety about getting into cars, even if you’re a passenger. You may feel fear about travelling in cars and want to avoid them entirely, because of what happened. Other signs of post-traumatic stress are depression, irritability and trouble sleeping at night, and having nightmares when you do.

Recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress

It’s important that you discuss your accident with others, and talk about how you’re feeling about it, whether it’s with friends, family members or a therapist. Keeping everything bottled up will only make matters worse, heightening your stress level and allowing your fears and anxieties to grow.

You can practice mindfulness using helpful breathing exercises that will allow you to calm your mind and feel at peace with yourself. If you’re able to, it’s also important to be active and exercise, as it can aid in your recovery and become part of your self-care routine.

It can also help to get financial compensation for the accident, as long as you didn’t cause it. So seek out a good car accidents lawyer and let them negotiate with the other party and their insurance company to get a payout commensurate with your injuries. They will also represent you if your case is headed to court, preparing everything for trial and fighting to make sure you get justice and a sizable settlement.

Then hopefully, you will be on the road to mental health recovery and can get on with your life.