Post-Collision: Get Help for PTSD After a Motor Vehicle Accident
You would not believe how common Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is after being in a vehicle crash. Post-collision trauma immediately after an auto accident is completely normal. However, did you know that PTSD testing and diagnosis are not commonly done in situations other than veterans experiencing trauma during battle1?
PTSD symptoms after a crash are a normal response. You’ve been faced with a traumatic event and you’re trying to deal with the emotional and physical consequences. Let’s examine how you know you need medical attention and where to get it.
Post-Collision Aftermath
When Should I Get Help for PTSD Post-Collision?
Are you are suffering from PTSD symptoms such as anxiety or nightmares that still haven’t decreased two to three weeks post-crash? You may be at risk for developing persistent PTSD. Get help now to prevent long-term suffering Treating symptoms related to PTSD early in your recovery can help prevent the development of the disorder.
Just having symptoms doesn’t mean you have PTSD. This is a disorder that needs to be diagnosed by a mental health professional2.
Delayed Onset PTSD
Most people who develop PTSD will see the symptoms within six months post-collision. Yet, some, symptoms associated with PTSD could show up over 6 months after the accident. This is called delayed-onset PTSD. It’s not clear why it takes some people so long to develop symptoms.
Get Help for Trauma
Can I do it on my own?
Maybe! Here are some self-help strategies that might work in managing your symptoms and preventing PTSD.
- Relaxation and breathing techniques
- Grounding or mindfulness techniques
- Coping statements
Okay, so how do I get professional help?
Can’t do it on your own? That’s okay! If you’re having difficulty coping or treating your symptoms, this is the time to get in touch with a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in treating trauma.
If you’re being treated by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist because of your motor vehicle collision, ask if their clinic offers services for treating PTSD. You can also ask your doctor or visit a mental health clinic to find out what services are available in your area.
What should I expect?
Going in for counseling post-collision may seem daunting, but usually getting yourself there is the hardest part. Treatment varies depending on the counselor and the situation, but often consists of different factors.
Individual counseling to help you understand and change how you think about the crash and aftermath
Learning coping strategies like relaxation, breathing, and coping statements
Controlled, safe exposure to feared thoughts and situations
Group therapy to help cope with your symptoms through the support of others going through something similar
In some situations, medication
What might not work?
There are many things you can do to help with PTSD, but there are also things that might not help.
- Single-session interventions
- Avoiding situations that trigger symptoms (like not returning to driving, not going near the crash location, avoiding intersections, or avoiding certain driving maneuvers)
- Medicating to suppress symptoms to treat PTSD (that’d be like taking pain medication for a broken leg and expecting it to make the bone heal)
Take Action for Your Post-Collision Trauma to Avoid PTSD
Whether it’s been weeks or months of experiencing PTSD symptoms after your motor vehicle collision, take action now. Your mental health is important and affects every aspect of your life. Waiting to get a PTSD diagnosis will just make things worse. Do what you can on your own and don’t be afraid to seek the help of a professional.
Here are some links you might find helpful:
- Safeway Psychological Services
- PTSD Association: Coping Strategies
- Are you a veteran? Click here to learn more about PTSD Treatment.
- Mental Health America: PTSD
- ADAA: Finding Help
Schedule an appointment with a mental health professional today such as a psychologist or psychiatrist to discuss being tested for PTSD and other neurological assessments. Contact Agile Screening now for more information on trauma testing and screenings.
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