Have you been in a car accident? Read this!
Being involved in a car accident, no matter how big or small, can be a traumatic experience. Most regular drivers are likely to be involved in a car accident at least once in their lives. You can be the safest and most cautious driver around, but that doesn’t save you from the person who careens through a red light and into your car.
The latest study by British researchers suggests that at least one-third of all people involved in nonfatal accidents have post-traumatic stress disorder, persistent anxiety, depression, and phobias one year after the incident. The study suggests there may be “rather large psychological complications even more-so when the motor vehicle accidents have medically not been in the least bit serious.
Like other types of trauma, car accidents can cause long-term stress that affects your work and relationships and can eventually lead to depression, anxiety, and sleep problems
Talking about your accident is the first step to making peace with it. Get counselling instead of trying to deal with it yourself, and do it as soon as possible. Talk about the accident in as much detail as possible. You also have to try and “piece everything together” – this helps subside the fragmenting effect of trauma and gives you a sense of having gained a grip on your fearfulness.
Reclaiming your life and confidence takes time, and having a strong support system will aid the process. Supporting an accident victim usually involves considerable patience and understanding.
You may experience panic attacks when you get back behind the wheel but it’s recommended that you do it as soon as possible. Not only will you claim back your freedom but it will also give you the chance to feel in control on and off the road.