What Are The Most Common Psychological Effects Of Auto Accidents?

We often get so caught up in the sudden impact of a car crash that we tend to forget the fact that our mental health is also a crucial factor in these traumatic events. Even if you don’t notice any changes in your attitude right away, they can sneak up on you later in a way that’s not outright apparent.

Your trusted team at Impact Medical Tarpon Springs is here to show you the most common psychological effects of auto accidents so you can know when to seek help!

Why Mental Health Is Affected After An Accident

What does a physical impact have to do with your mental state? Being in an auto accident involves more than just being hit with brunt force. There’s the initial shock of the unexpected occurrence, the confusion of not knowing what to do at the moment, and the possible fear of seeing an accident coming with no way to stop it. An accident may happen fast, but our brains work overtime in survival mode to process everything and react accordingly.

Given everything that your mind goes through before, during, and after an accident, it makes sense that our emotions would get the better of us. This overthinking can easily lead to stress, anxiety, and depression, each of which has its own set of symptoms but all do their part in bogging us down with mental disorders.

Going Over the Big 3

Let’s take a moment to take apart the biggest and most common types of psychological effects that can occur from an auto accident:

Anxiety

When we go through a traumatic event, our brain tries to compensate by reviewing the event over and over to find solutions. The mind may go through the processes of fear and anger in having a loss of control over the situation. There’s anger in believing that the incident could have gone differently, and fear of ending up in a similar situation in the future but with a worse outcome.

Accepting that your anxiety is something worth treating is the first step in overcoming this mental hurdle.

Depression

There may be times when the outcome of an accident is too much to bear, resulting in irreversible damage or extreme loss. Facts that remain permanent often trigger depression so debilitating that it can get in the way of eating, sleeping, or any regular activity that used to be simple and easy before the accident occurred.

Depression after an accident is especially prevalent in those who may feel at fault, believing they are responsible for any loss or damages that were sustained.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Drivers who have encountered their first car crash or have experienced immense trauma may develop PTSD. This disorder can result in excessive and uncontrollable flashbacks of the most traumatic moments of the incident. When left untreated, these symptoms can last for months and even years.

What Other Psychological Symptoms Can Appear?

Anxiety, depression, and PTSD may be some of the most common (and most concerning) psychological effects resulting from an accident, but other factors that can affect your mental health include:

An inability to concentrate
Panic attacks
Disputes within a relationship
A tendency for substance abuse
Survivor’s remorse

Older drivers are especially sensitive to emotional trauma. If you had an elderly parent survive a car crash, there are ways to help support them in their time of need.

How Impact Medical Watches Out For Your Mental Health

Impact Medical is proud to have licensed mental health counselors on staff to assist those who are struggling with the psychological effects of traumatic car crashes. We use evidence-based treatments to help you cope and recover from distress as part of our injury trauma counseling services.

Need help with your post-accident mental health? We’re here for you! Contact Impact Medical Tarpon Springs today at 727-756-9585 to get started with a consultation appointment.