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HEALTH AND WELLNESS - Emotional wellness after a personal injury accident is often an afterthought. But it shouldn't be. In fact, psychological effects from an accident can be just as devastating, if not more so than the physical injuries.
Let's get real.
The trauma of a personal injury can take a major toll on mental and emotional health. Left unaddressed, it can really derail the healing process. But understanding what to expect and knowing how to cope makes a world of difference.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about emotional wellness after a personal injury accident. You'll learn:
1 The importance of understanding the emotional impact of a personal injury
2 Common psychological effects after an accident
3 Practical strategies for emotional recovery
4 How and when to seek professional help
The emotional side of a personal injury accident is no joke. Don't ignore it. Here's why.
The Emotional Impact of Personal Injury
Personal injury accidents are traumatic events by definition. Car crashes, slip and falls, workplace accidents… They all have one thing in common. They rock people's worlds.
Per the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, car accidents are the leading cause of mental trauma for men and the second leading cause for women. A car crash, in other words, tops the list for emotional devastation.
Makes sense when you think about it. One moment everything is fine. The next moment life turns upside down.
The emotional aftermath of a personal injury doesn't just mean "feeling shaken up" for a few days. For many victims, the accident replays over and over in their mind's eye. Trouble sleeping. Anxiety. Depression.
It's no wonder that working with a personal injury attorney in Philadelphia matters so much. Lawyers who specialize in personal injury understand the law and, more importantly, understand that the emotional aftermath of an accident can be just as damaging as the physical injuries. Personal injury attorneys fight for victims' rights to seek compensation not just for medical bills and lost wages, but for emotional damages too.
Crucial, right?
Common Psychological Effects After an Accident
What exactly happens to people emotionally after a personal injury? The symptoms vary from case to case, but several common psychological effects come up again and again.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD may be the most well-known of the post-injury psychological effects. Victims experience flashbacks, nightmares, and a heightened state of anxiety when reminded of the accident.
Statistics show that up to 9% of car accident victims will go on to develop PTSD. While that may not sound like a significant number, that percentage balloons into the millions when you consider just how many accidents happen every year.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
• Re-experiencing the accident (intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares)
• Avoidance of reminders of the event (places, activities, thoughts)
• Hyperarousal (feeling on edge, jumpiness)
• Emotional numbness and detachment
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand with PTSD after a personal injury accident. The stress of recovering from an injury, worry about finances, and the pressure to return to a "normal life" can be overwhelming.
Depression can manifest as a sense of hopelessness, a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and social withdrawal. Many victims of a personal injury struggle to see how things could possibly get better. This is especially true when physical injuries are slow to heal or ongoing pain lingers.
Phobias and Fear
It's only natural to feel fear after an accident. But sometimes fear turns into something bigger.
Driving phobias are incredibly common after car accidents. Victims refuse to drive or get in a car as a passenger. Other people experience phobias related to the specifics of their accident, such as a fear of heights, driving on certain roads, or participating in the activities they were doing when injured.
Proven Strategies for Emotional Recovery
The path to emotional recovery takes time. But certain strategies are proven to speed up the process and lead to a better outcome.
Acknowledge the Trauma
The first step is simple but not always easy. Acknowledge that the accident happened.
Many people just want to "move on" and avoid talking about the accident. They dismiss their feelings and tell themselves it wasn't that bad. Bad idea.
Acknowledge the fact that the accident was traumatic and that it's normal to experience emotional reactions. It's okay to not be okay.
Build a Support System
Recovery is faster when you have people around to support you. Friends, family, support groups… they all matter.
Talk to someone about what you experienced. Isolation only makes the emotional symptoms worse. It's true even when it's hard to open up. The relief and fresh perspective of simply saying the words to another human being is powerful.
Prioritize Physical Health
Physical health and emotional wellness are connected. It's important to take care of your body to help with recovery.
Get as much sleep as you can. Eat healthy foods. Stay as active as your injuries will allow. The physical motion will help get the blood flowing and release endorphins that naturally lift your mood. Even if you're limited to gentle stretching, movement makes a difference.
Practice Stress Management
Learning how to manage stress and anxiety helps minimize the emotional impact of the psychological symptoms. Helpful techniques include:
• Deep breathing exercises
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Journaling thoughts and feelings
• Progressive muscle relaxation
These techniques are simple. Anyone can learn them. But they help when anxiety spikes or negative thoughts rear their ugly heads.
When to Seek Professional Help
Self-care and at-home techniques help a lot. But sometimes professional help is needed.
When symptoms don't start to let up after weeks or months, it's time to seek the counsel of a mental health professional. Therapists who specialize in trauma and PTSD have years of experience working with victims and can use proven treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help victims process their experiences and move forward.
The World Health Organization estimates that up to 40% of people with PTSD will recover within a year with proper treatment. That's a positive outcome for anyone who is struggling.
Warning signs that it's time to get professional help:
• Symptoms are impacting day-to-day life
• Inability to function at work or maintain relationships
• Suicidal ideations or self-harm thoughts
• Substance abuse as a coping mechanism
Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. In fact, it's just the opposite. Recognizing that you need a helping hand shows strength.
Wrapping It All Up
Emotional wellness after a personal injury accident takes time and effort. The psychological effects are very real, and they are treatable.
Let's review:
• Personal injury accidents can cause significant emotional and psychological trauma
• PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias are common emotional reactions
• Building a support system and practicing self-care can help speed the healing process
• Professional help is available when symptoms persist
Physical injuries heal. But emotional scars need care too. By putting in the time and effort, victims of a personal injury can recover from the accident and reclaim the life they had before it changed everything.
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