How A Car Accident Can Affect You Both Mentally And Emotionally
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Most people think about the horrible physical injuries that can occur in an auto accident. Everything from whiplash to traumatic brain injuries can have an impact on your daily life. Not many people, however, think about the emotional and mental effects of an auto accident. Changes To Your Life
There are several ways in which an auto accident can change your life and even decrease its quality.
• Self-care can be compromised when injuries or depression make it difficult to shower, brush your teeth, or change your clothing.
• An accident can compromise your ability to work and earn a living. This can be especially difficult when you’re the sole support of the family, leading to feelings of loss and failure.
• Relationships can suffer when anxiety and depression keep you from caring for your loved ones and interacting with friends.
• Pain, suffering, and the challenges of recovery from an auto accident can take away your ability to find pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
Mental health and physical health are intertwined. When one suffers, symptoms usually manifest in the other. They can be disruptive to your life, but no one can know that you’re suffering if you do it in silence.
Symptoms Of Emotional Distress
Physical injuries can be seen by everyone. Mental and emotional injuries are known only to you. Your doctor can check the progress of healing on your physical self, but you must keep an eye on own your emotional progress. Some of the symptoms to watch out for include:
• Distressing thoughts or reoccurring nightmares that intrude on your daily life.
• Feelings of negativity and inability to feel positive emotions.
• Disassociation from self; feeling numb, dazed, or seeing yourself from another’s eyes.
• Refusal to think about anything associated with the incident.
• Trouble falling asleep, lack of concentration, irritability.
• Symptoms of anxiety can be intense and can manifest in the following ways:
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Feelings of tension, nervousness, or restlessness
• Increased heart rate or palpitations
• Sweating and shaking
• Feelings of impending doom
When these symptoms interfere with daily life, or last longer than a few days, it’s time to seek professional help. Without treatment, two types of stress disorders can occur:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Impacts those who have suffered through or witnessed a traumatic event. Auto accidents and military duty are common contributors, but PTSD can come from many types of trauma.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) – Similar to PTSD, symptoms are typically milder and don’t last as long. If left untreated, ASD can develop into full-blown PTSD.
Sharing your pain with others is the way to find healing from your invisible scars.
If you’ve suffered from emotional, mental, or physical injuries sustained in an accident, speak to your doctor, and then contact an experienced attorney to help you regain some of what you lost. Don’t suffer in silence. It is possible to feel better after an accident. The first step to getting the help you need is right around the corner.