Car accidents can be extremely scary, dangerous and traumatic. In seconds, the way that you see your life could be forever changed. In the aftermath of a car accident, the priority will be attending to your physical injuries. This is extremely important, because physical injuries can have a delayed onset, and could be life-threatening if not addressed immediately.
However, when you are recovering physically from your injuries, you may feel that you have changed irreparably in terms of the way you feel and the way you see the world. You may no longer see the joy in life, or feel like some innocence that you once had has been taken away from you in this experience. It is common to experience emotional difficulties after a car accident, and while they can be hard to process, they can be overcome through treatment. The following are some common signs of emotional damages that can occur after a car accident.
Post-traumatic stress
A car accident can be traumatic since it can be a near-death experience. Therefore, it can be comparable to traumas experienced by those in war zones and is not something that needs to be underplayed. If you are experiencing flashbacks, having trouble sleeping, feeling constantly on high-alert or trying to avoid anything that reminds you of the incident, you may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both therapy and medication can help to treat this condition.
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are common in those who have experienced a car accident. These may be related to the trauma of the incident or the aftermath. Being worried about finances or not being able to return to work can exacerbate these symptoms. Medication and therapy can also help you to heal.
It is important to know that you can retrieve financial damages for emotional suffering after an accident. Make sure that you are aware of the ways in which the law can help you in this difficult time.