What Is Now Known About Car Crashes, PTSD, And Recovery Time

Posted by: KHTS Articles in News Articles June 10, 2020 - 8:35 am 0 280 Views

Car crashes are traumatic events, and in some instances, it might take you a long time to recover from one. That is particularly the case if it was a high-speed collision, and there was an injury to you, the other driver, or your passengers.

Doctors and mental health professionals have even determined that, in some instances, you can contract PTSD from a car wreck. PTSD can have a profound impact, and it would serve you best to seek treatment for it.

Let’s talk about car crashes, PTSD, and how long it might take you to recover and start feeling like yourself again.

What Doctors Know About PTSD

PTSD is a condition contracted by some individuals following traumatic events. Some people who might have it include:

Combat veterans
Terrorism or kidnapping survivors
Natural disaster survivors
Rape or sexual assault victims

In addition to those we mentioned, studies show that PTSD occurs in 25% of accident victims. It’s not too likely after a fender bender, but everyone is different, and even an accident that some might consider minor can be enough to affect some people strongly.

PTSD Symptoms

Some PTSD symptoms include:

Depression
Mood swings
Violent lashing out at those around you
Bad dreams

You might be unable to get through your usual routine. You may even shake or start sweating if you try to drive or get back in the car again. You might react that way only when you pass the place where the accident occurred.

Knowing if You Have PTSD

Unless you are a qualified medical professional yourself, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to diagnose PTSD. If you display some of the symptoms mentioned or have a powerful urge not to get in the car again, you should seek help.

You can find a mental health professional near you who specializes in PTSD. If you aren’t sure of the best way to locate one, talk to your primary caregiver about it. They will probably have a recommendation.

The other thing you can do is some online research. There are many resources now where you can get feedback from individuals treated by each therapist or counselor. If a mental health professional has positive reviews, that should put you more at ease.

Talking with the Counselor or Therapist

When you speak to the therapist, they will ask you questions about your symptoms and feelings. They might diagnose PTSD. If they do, then they’ll talk with you about some potential paths toward feeling safer and more confident again.

They might decide that talk therapy alone will be enough for you, or they might elect to put you on medication. There are various helpful medications for those with PTSD that can give you a more comfortable and peaceful mental state.

The therapist might suggest something like meditation. They may want you to take public transportation or ride shares until you are ready to drive or get in a car again. No two people or PTSD cases are alike, so what works for one person might not necessarily work for another.

PTSD Medications

SSRIs are one of the medications that doctors often recommend for those with PTSD. It stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

There are also SNRIs. These are serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Most of the medications that doctors prescribe in these categories have a brand name, like Zoloft. Then, there is a generic version, like Sertraline.

The four drugs that doctors and therapists recommend most often for PTSD are Zoloft, Effexor, Prozac, and Paxil. These are antidepressants.

Those Who Are Reluctant to Use Drugs

Sometimes, some individuals are reluctant to go on medication. They might be afraid of the side effects, or they may have another reason why they’re hesitant.

It is going to be your prerogative whether you choose to go on drugs. No one can force you. However, if you’re not able to function like you used to, you probably don’t have much to lose by trying.

If you are in bad enough shape that you can’t drive or even get back in the car following an accident, then you need to do something to retake control of your life. If that means trying antidepressants for a while, it’s nothing of which you need to be ashamed. You’re taking meaningful action for your mental health when you take this step.

How Long It Takes to Come Back from PTSD

PTSD from a bad car accident is something that might take weeks or months to get over. It may even be years in some extreme cases.

If you are trying to come back from a car accident that has left you with a permanent injury, then it stands to reason that the mental recovery time will be long. If the wreck killed one of your passengers, a pedestrian, or the driver of the other vehicle, the path back might be highly challenging.

You might not be able to drive again for a long time, so you’ll have to figure out other ways to get around. You may have to re-learn how to drive in empty parking lots or on deserted streets. It’s going to take patience on your part.

Your Support Network Matters

If you have a dependable friend and family support network, you may have to rely heavily on them during this difficult time. If they love you and care about you, though, then they should have no problems being there.

Sometimes those with PTSD need to talk to someone besides the therapist. Describing your fears or disturbing dreams with your spouse, partner, or family can help calm you down if you’re feeling tense or stressed.

Without a doubt, the worst car accidents change you forever. Your life might never be quite the same as it was before.

PTSD is an intimidating diagnosis and one that you must take seriously. Still, though, if you show fortitude and determination, there is no reason to think that it has to be a permanent condition.