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How can I Overcome the Mental Trauma of a Car Accident?

June 28, 2021
Mental Trauma

it is not uncommon after a distressing event for those involved to harbor fears of experiencing a similar trauma in the near future. Someone who has been in a car accident may be hesitant to drive again in the same vehicle or on the same road. 

Sometimes, it is best to work through the fear and get on the road again. Other times, avoiding triggers, easing back into the flow slowly, or other coping mechanisms work better. Figuring out how to overcome mental trauma after a car accident is just as important as healing from physical injuries. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after being in a car accident.  PTSD can cause severe anxiety, fearfulness, nightmares, and/or flashbacks. It is a serious condition that can be debilitating if not treated. A trained psychologist can help diagnose and treat PTSD. 

Part of treating PTSD, anxiety, and other mental trauma associated with a car accident will often involve identifying and either eliminating or reducing responses to triggers. For example, if getting behind the wheel of the car that has been in the accident triggers stress, then selling the car could eliminate the trigger. If that is not possible, counseling techniques can help, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

What are the Signs of Mental Trauma?

Recognizing the signs of mental trauma is the first step to getting help. If they happen after a car accident and do not go away with time, they should be addressed right away. Depression can manifest as a general feeling of sadness. It can also reveal itself as withdrawal from social interactions or failure to enjoy daily activities. A trained mental health professional can diagnose and treat depression. 

It is normal to be stressed after a car accident, and the stress fades in time in most cases. However, some car accident survivors experience mental or emotional trauma that is long-lasting. Common signs of mental trauma include: 

  • Sadness
  • Persistent stress and anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • New fears or phobias
  • Mood swings

It is best to not ignore signs of mental trauma. If these occur following a car accident and do not resolve or get worse in the weeks that follow, seek help. If left untreated, these mental traumas can result in a deteriorating mental state and cause complications, such as problems with relationships, difficulties at work, and more.

Media Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Car Accident Victims Who are Experiencing Mental Trauma

Do not let the mental trauma from a car accident go unrecognized or untreated. Mental injuries often require treatment by professionally trained mental health counselors. An experienced Media car accident lawyer at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can help evaluate your case and determine if you have legal recourse. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County. For an initial consultation, call us at 610-565-3701 or complete our online form.