If you have a fender bender, that’s an unpleasant experience. However, you can often recover relatively easily. If the accident didn’t injure you, and it caused minimal damage, then maybe you won’t give it a second thought.
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However, if you get in a much more serious car wreck, then you can receive a PTSD diagnosis afterward. PTSD after a car crash can seriously affect your quality of life, and not in a good way.
In this article, we will talk about how you can get over PSTD after a car accident. It’s seldom easy, but it’s something that you will need to do so that you can continue with your life feeling happy and confident again.
What Does PTSD Mean?
PTSD means post-traumatic stress disorder. You can get it after a serious car accident, but many other events can cause it as well. For instance, you might have PTSD if you come back from the military and you saw combat. You may have it if you survived a violent crime, like a robbery or a sexual assault.
If you survived a particularly traumatic weather event, like a typhoon, hurricane, or tornado, then you might have it. You may also receive this diagnosis if you survived a vicious dog attacking you.
PTSD After a Car Accident – How Can You Know if You Have It?
If you have PTSD after a car accident, then you will probably know it sooner rather than later. Let’s say that a car came out of nowhere and hit your vehicle. It caused significant damage. You also sustained some serious injuries.
Maybe you’re okay when you get back in a car as a passenger. However, if you recover enough so that you can try to drive again, you find that you can’t do it. When you try to get behind the wheel, you find that you start shaking uncontrollably. You might also have nightmares about the accident.
You may notice that you’re reliving it in your mind when you’re awake as well. You may experience other depression or anxiety symptoms. If you pass by the intersection or wherever the accident occurred, you might feel particularly anxious or nervous there.
All of these might demonstrate that you have PTSD. You will not officially know till you get a qualified medical doctor’s diagnosis, though.
You Might Need to See a Mental Health Professional
You can see your regular medical doctor after the accident. They might feel that you have PTSD based on what you are telling them you’re experiencing.
It’s likely that they will want you to see a therapist. Maybe you have one you’re seeing already. If you’re not actively in therapy, though, your regular doctor might suggestion someone they know.
When you choose a therapist and go to see them, you can explain what’s happening with you. You can tell them about the accident, and you can describe the details of your symptoms as well.
If the therapist feels that you have PTSD, then the two of you can work together to try to figure out the best path forward. PTSD can make your life difficult, but keep in mind that many individuals live with it.
It’s by no means something that’s permanent or that will destroy your life, assuming you have the fortitude to fight back against it.
They May Put You on Medication
Often, you will find that talking to a therapist helps when you’re dealing with PTSD from a car crash or any other traumatic event. You might also talk to family members and friends, but it’s often better to express your fears to someone who had medical training regarding mental and psychological conditions.
They may decide that they want to put you on some antianxiety medication. They might mention some different options, as several drugs exist that may help you.
They might put you on something that you take daily, or they may also suggest a medication that you only take at times when you feel particularly stressed. These medications do have some side effects sometimes, though, so you need to consider that.
In most instances, you won’t need to continue taking the medication forever. It’s a temporary thing till you get over this rough patch.
They Might Recommend Meditation
The therapist might recommend that you meditate. That can often help clear your mind and to put you in a better mental state.
They might tell you to do so at the start of each day. They can instruct you on what to do if you’ve never tried meditation before.
You might also download an app to your smartphone that will guide you through these exercises. Some of these apps don’t cost anything, while others charge you a monthly subscription fee.
You Will Probably Feel Better in Time
Usually, if you have a routine where you meditate, take antianxiety medication, and see the therapist to talk out your feelings, then you will probably start to feel better sooner rather than later. Even in instances where you sustained a serious injury, you should eventually get back to a better mental condition.
You can resume driving when you are ready. If you’re having bad dreams about the accident, they may dissipate. You might also stick to driving on local roads if the accident happened on the highway. You won’t get back to highway driving till you’re sure you can handle it.
PTSD seldom impacts an individual for the rest of their life, provided they’re willing to work at it. It’s when you’re not willing to do the work that you might have lifelong problems stemming from a particular incident, like a car crash.
If you don’t deal with what you’re feeling, then it can do more than just prevent you from driving. You may find that you’re turning to alcohol or other drugs to attempt to dull the pain and anxiety you’re experiencing. That’s why it’s crucial that you deal with what you’re going through if you receive a PTSD diagnosis.
