There’s a good chance that you’ll be in a car accident in your lifetime. Even if you’re a careful driver and don’t engage in risky behaviours (such as speeding), it’s impossible to control the actions of other drivers. But you can minimise the risks by driving defensively. Financial worries are relieved after receiving compensation. Money can’t buy happiness, however. Your injuries affect your mental well-being. Besides feeling stressed and depressed, you lose the confidence to get behind the wheel. If you have a driving phobia, you’ll have panic attacks that may lead to a disorder.
It can be easy to shrug off symptoms of anxiety and depression because it seems normal to feel in a certain way, as you’ve been through a traumatic experience. If these feelings continue for a long time, they’ll get in the way of your everyday life. If you find it impossible to cope with the trauma, it’s crucial to seek help. In the meantime, try these tips to keep your balance or re-balance yourself.
The Three Main Health Problems Faced by Accident Survivors
PTSD
PTSD symptoms after a car accident include psychologically re-experiencing the trauma. You frequently have upsetting thoughts or memories of what happened. The worst part is that you don’t know when you’ll encounter a trigger or what it’ll be. It comes out of the blue. As you relive the accident that led to the PTSD, you become more paranoid. This can have various consequences, such as anger management, breakdown of relationships, and isolation. You must give yourself time to recover. Nothing happens overnight, just so you know.
Anxiety
If you’re struggling with anxiety after a car accident, you’re not the only one. Roughly one-third of survivors report anxiety. Persistent, severe anxiety interferes with your ability to function and relax. Most of the time, you struggle to control your discomfort. The worry is out of proportion as compared to the actual situation. You can experience panic attacks or extreme bouts of stress, apparently from nowhere. Anxiety can make it difficult to get past the car accident and continue travelling as before.
Depression
According to the experts at Accident Claims Advice, an incident like a car accident can shake up your confidence, generate new fears, and anxieties. Don’t try to tough it out. Depression can become fatal if it’s not treated on time. When you’re depressed, you can’t just snap out of it. Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to take the steps that make you feel comfortable. Psychologists and psychiatrists can help you greatly. There are natural treatments you can try, such as exercising. Working out temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals.
How To Care for Your Mental Health After a Car Accident
Stay Positive
Positive thinking can improve your life. While it can be hard to stay positive after a car accident, you have to try at least. Concentrate your attention on the good things in your life. Don’t worry about the future, focus on living in the present. Guilt and worry are useless emotions. Practice prayer and meditation on a daily basis. Most importantly, work on being more mindful. Look back on your history and look for the good. Be thankful that you’ve survived the accident. Be thankful for your mistakes, as you can build strength and character.
During the day, stop to evaluate what you’re thinking. If your thoughts are mainly negative, re-interpret the situation so that it doesn’t seem that bad. The only people you need in your life are positive people. When you surround yourself with positivity, you adopt empowering beliefs. It doesn’t matter if these individuals are co-workers or family members. They have your best interests at heart and want you to get past this unfortunate situation. On the other hand, negative attitudes can be contagious and have long-lasting effects on your mental health.
Practice Healthy Habits
From your everyday routine to getting proper sleep, there are things you can do to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Physical health problems can lead to the risk of developing mental health issues, and vice versa. Wake up early in the morning so that you can have some extra “me time”. Consistent sleep improves blood pressure and gives the body time to repair itself. Skip the sugary cereals and eat a breakfast packed with protein and fibres. Why don’t you take the time to learn something new? Take up a hobby like painting. Art provides an outlet when words fail.
Talk To Someone
Talking about trauma can help you make sense of your experience. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a counsellor or therapist. Don’t assume that you have nobody to talk to. Sure, you’re living far away from family and you don’t have close friends. But if you look hard enough, you’ll find someone. Join an online forum or a chat. Not only can you find people that perfectly understand what you’re going through, but also you can share details anonymously. Better yet, take part in a support group. Information is available through your doctor, non-profit organisations, and health websites.
Have “You” Time
Take time for yourself. Are you afraid of your thoughts? Accept the fact that your mind is a noisy place, filled with lots of information. The more you try to suppress those annoying thoughts, the more likely you’ll have them. Pick an activity that’s relaxing, indulgent, and lets you forget about distractions. For example, you can take walks in nature. The parks are a lovely retreat in a busy day. Immersion in nature speeds up healing and acts as an antidote for many ailments. Having your dog as a companion is a bonus.
All in all, try to get over your fear of driving. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Start as a passenger. This will help you get used to being in a vehicle without the pressure of driving. It’s recommended to invest in a safer vehicle, which instils confidence. Pay attention to safety ratings and crash survivability statistics. If you can’t afford a brand-new vehicle, make sure your car is as safe as possible.
