Car accidents have a significant impact on those involved, including pedestrians and drivers, witnesses to the event and those who were not on the scene at the time, such as those experiencing bereavement after losing a loved one.
This ripple-effect relates not only to those involved in a car accident, but also to how it can affect their physical, mental and emotional health. If left untreated, trauma from such events can leave people feeling as though they are stuck in the past and unable to move on.
How trauma impacts health
Health issues arising from a car accident may be physical conditions with clear treatment plans. While a back injury might require a person to see an car accident chiropractors, the effects on mental and emotional health are not always as obvious.
Previously, the mind was thought of as separate from the body, yet everyday physical manifestations of stress (such as muscle tension or stomach upset ) show how closely these are interlinked. This holistic view of health is known as the “mind-body connection”.
How car accidents trigger PTSD
Experiencing or witnessing acute trauma like this (as opposed to chronic or complex trauma, where multiple or prolonged traumatic experiences happen over time), can result in PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder, affecting people’s health, well-being, relationships and daily functioning in a number of ways. Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Hyperarousal (feeling “on alert” at all times)
- Negative mood and thought patterns
- Memory loss or impairment
- Avoiding reminders of the event, such as certain places or things.
- Dissociation, for example “spacing out” or attempting to intentionally numb with alcohol.
- Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and/or nightmares.
There may also be a sense of detachment, which can manifest as a sense of emotional disconnection or things (or the self) not feeling real. Symptoms tend to occur within 3 months but may even arise years after the event. A number of factors can contribute to PTSD developing following a car accident, such as:
- Loss of loved ones involved in the accident leading to bereavement and grief.
- The severity and suddenness of the event, which can evoke feelings of shock, helplessness and a loss of control
- Heightened fears surrounding death or serious injury.
Treatment
Because everyone’s experience is subjective, treatment for PTSD after a car accident varies, but is likely to involve a combination of different treatments, including:
- There are various types or “modalities” of therapy that can be helpful in processing trauma, ranging from psychotherapy or “talk therapy” to EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing,
- Medications, such as SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which may help to address symptoms of depression or anxiety that can make recovery more difficult.
Psychiatrist and trauma expert Dr Judith Herman also advocates for self care as part of her three-step model of trauma recovery. After a traumatic event, a person may neglect even basic self care, but even small steps like gentle regular exercise can help to regain a solid foundation of sense of safety and stability.
Trauma is often described in terms of how “stuck” one feels. For example, there may be persistent physical symptoms, or painful reminders in the form of emotional triggers. With professional support, it is possible (without diminishing or denying the impact of trauma) to move from these stuck feelings towards a more empowered, positive future.
Tim Williamson, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
