After a car accident, it is normal to experience a range of emotions even a month or more after the event. It is important that you know what you should be expecting in order to avoid being blindsided by your emotions.
After a car accident, you will often go into shock. Once this has faded, there are a lot of different emotions that will start to surface. This is completely normal and you should not be worried about this.
Most car accidents happen unexpectedly and you will often feel powerless to stop everything. When you look at the accident in this way, you will be able to make more sense of the emotions that come after. Once your car has been repaired, the insurance dealt with and your injuries healed, these feelings will often fade.
If you are struggling with your mental health and wellbeing after an accident, it is important that you get some help. There are a lot of organizations that are there to help you and will provide this help for free. This help is vital if the emotions are lasting longer than they should or are negatively impacting your daily life.
Emotions To Expect After An Accident
Shock, Denial, And Disbelief
Immediately after the accident and in the days following it, most people experience shock. This will feel different everyone, but there are some common symptoms that you need to be aware of. This will include being in emotional distress, feeling numb, having unpredictable mood swings and feeling afraid of the event even though it is over.
It is important to note that shock can be felt even when you were not the person driving. Passengers, pedestrians walking past the accident and other observers can all feel shock after an accident.
Anger, Irritability, And Agitation
After the accident, drivers can often feel angry at the driver of the other vehicle involved whether they were at fault or not. Passengers will also feel anger directed at both of the drivers who were involved. It is very easy to take the anger that you feel out on those around you, particularly if the feelings continue. While these feelings are a part of the stress reaction, you do not have to act on them.
There are a lot of ways that you can deal with your anger and learning some simple breathing exercises is one of the best. These exercises will help you calm down when you start to feel angry.
If you have a teenager who was part of an accident and you want to help them, it is important to note that they might not want your support and will seem angry at family members. You need to allow them to turn to their friends for support for a short period of time. However, you also need to keep communication lines open so they can talk to you when they are ready.
Guilt, Shame, And Self-Blame
There are a lot of drivers who beat themselves up of an accident, particularly if they think it could have been avoided. There are some people who witness an accident who blame themselves for not preventing the accident or providing first-aid. At times like this, it is important that you remind yourself that these are unrealistic expectations and that you need to take a step back.
Anxiety, Worry, And Fear
Anxiety is actually a natural reaction to any stressful incident including car accidents. There are many people who have no symptoms of anxiety after a crash. Fortunately, most people who do experience anxiety will recover over time.
The common symptoms to look for will include:
• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Being unable to relax or sleep properly
• Feeling irritable
• Feeling unsociable or not wanting to talk
• Having no energy
• Having unwanted thoughts
• Feeling upset, out of control, confused and helpless
• Wanting to be busy to avoid thinking
One of the best ways to fight your anxiety will be to talk about it. It is helpful to talk about the accident and the feelings you have with people that you are comfortable with and trust. Friends, family or a qualified counselor will be able to help.
Getting back into your normal routine is also good for dealing with anxiety. However, you do need to give yourself time and be patient with yourself.
When you feel anxious, you still need to take care of yourself. Eating balanced meals, getting enough sleep and going to walks will help. You should avoid cigarettes, alcohol and any drugs as they will make you feel good for a short time, but make your anxiety worse. You should replace them with a hobby and keep your body relaxed.
If Your Anxiety Does Not Go Away
If your anxiety lasts for more than 3 months after the accident, you need to get help from a professional. If the anxiety is stopping you from working or going to school, you need to seek professional help. This can mean that you are developing an anxiety disorder such as PTSD.
It is important to note that there is nothing wrong with you should this happen. It simply means that you need more help to overcome your anxiety and move on with your life after the accident. You should be compensated for such a problem and the Law Office Of Michael R. Herron can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Getting Back In A Car
After an accident, most people will have to get back into a car eventually. It is completely normal to feel anxious about getting behind the wheel and driving more cautiously than before. When doing this, it is important that you not expect yourself to get over the feelings you have from the accident. You may find that anxiety comes back after you have already returned to the road
Sadness And Hopelessness
After an accident, feelings of sadness and depression are more common than you might imagine. The will often go together with the symptoms of anxiety. The best way to deal with this sadness and depression will be to talk about it. You also need to take care of yourself and get help when you need it.
Social Withdrawal And Isolation
When feeling shock, it is natural to stay away from people who may want to talk about the accident. When this feeling fades, surrounding yourself with friends and family can help as you receive love and reassurance.
The Physical Symptoms That Come With These Emotions
After an accident, the emotions that you feel will often be followed by some physical symptoms. These symptoms are a way of telling you that your body is still stressed and will include:
• Fatigue
• Spells of crying
• Insomnia or nightmares
• Headaches
• Stomach distress
• Dry mouth
• Racing heartbeat
• Flashbacks
• Muscle tension, pains, and aches
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty concentrating
Self-Help Strategies
When you feel any of these symptoms, you need to take care of yourself. You should ensure that you have a balanced diet and exercise often. Get enough sleep and rest to help your body recover.
You should also ensure that your work and home schedule is balanced. Try getting back into your daily routines and activities. Talking to your friends and family will help, but you can also talk to a professional if you want. Meditation and other relaxation strategies can also be very helpful.
If other family members were part of the accident, you can talk about it as a family. You should try not to argue during these talks or place blame for the accident. Giving love and reassurance will help everyone get over the accident.
