The trauma of a car accident isn’t purely physical. There are also psychological effects. Your emotional state can be shattered. At times, symptoms can take months, years even to manifest, setting the stage for further trauma. Regrettably, injuries and mental health issues are inwardly linked. When we experience an injury, we tend to forget all about the impact on our mental well-being. 

Following A Car Accident, Many People Experience Emotional Distress 

Even if physical injuries aren’t that serious, emotional distress can linger on for years after the car accident. If you suffer from emotional distress, you’re in a state of emotional suffering. Your emotions surface as fear, guilt, flashbacks, depression, or anxiety. Addressing the physical injuries is only part of the overall process to completely recover. You need mental healing to complete it. Some people aren’t able to find relief and the symptoms build until they become overwhelming. In an effort to cope with the situation, some people turn to alcohol, drugs, or withdraw themselves socially. They struggle to hold down a job, stop driving, and develop a fear of intimacy. 

You’re not the same person as you were before the collision. Even with immediate treatment, you might need ongoing care and attention. If your injuries stop you from returning to your life as usual, you can experience a loss of enjoyment, feelings of helplessness, and you have the impression your life is under threat. Emotional trauma is compensable through the eyes of the law. As LegalExpert.co.uk points out, emotional distress is considered a non-economic damage. Non-economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit are damages that compensate for pain and suffering. If you believe you’re eligible for a lawsuit, work with a solicitor. Be honest with your solicitor so that they can calculate all of the damages. 

How To Maintain Your Mental Health After a Car Accident 

Don’t Act as If Nothing Happened 

Pretending nothing happened is toxic to your mental health and well-being. If you avoid the trauma you’ve experienced, you give it power to control your decisions. Your life should be about what you want, not what you want to avoid. When you ignore the impact of a devastating event, the unreleased energy will remain trapped in your body. Simply put, you’ll be alternating between extremes of love and loathing. Acknowledge and accept what happened to you, but don’t relieve the traumatic event obsessively. Take part in activities that keep your mind focused. Find a healthy outlet. 

Give Yourself Time to Recover

It’s essential to balance your desires with a realistic sense of timing and patience. Pain, anxiety, or depression don’t go away that easily, so don’t expect to bounce back immediately after the car crash. Give yourself time to recover. You have to do it the only way there is: the hard way. The process of healing is emotionally draining, meaning that it can make you feel frustrated. Even if you want to be okay again, it’s not going to happen overnight. Healing is a process; you’re meant to go through it gradually. It takes a fair bit of time. Your symptoms may return from time to time. However, when you’ve identified self-care techniques that really work, you’re more confident in managing them.  

Talk To Friends, Family, Or A Counsellor

If you don’t talk about your feelings, you’ll end up suffering alone. Feelings like anger or frustration don’t magically disappear just because you ignore them. They’re stored in your subconscious mind and start consuming you. Reach out to your friends, family members, or a counsellor. Talk about what you thought and how you felt at the time of the accident and the days thereafter. This will help you both physically and emotionally. Here are some don’ts to consider: 

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  Don’t force an unwilling person to listen to you 

  
  


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  Don’t expect others to feel the same way you do 

  
  


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  Don’t talk repeatedly about the upsetting event 

  
  


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  Don’t talk just about your negative feelings 

  
  

At times, you need to let out how you’re feeling with no real plan for a solution.  

Eat A Healthy Diet and Stay Hydrated 

Your brain demands a constant supply of fuel, and that fuel comes from the foods you eat. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet helps you think more clearly and feel more alert. Start paying attention to how different foods affect how you feel. Next, introduce foods that back up your diet. The difference won’t be visible right away, just so you know. Fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, berries, and whole grains can enhance your mental wellness. Equally important is to stay hydrated. Water isn’t a magical substance, but it does promote healing. The brain depends on hydration to function normally. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering that it’s 75% water. 

Take Your Dog for A Walk 

Walking is something that you should do as soon as you’re able to. Here’s an idea: Take your dog for a walk. Spending time with your furry friend can be a powerful antidote to stress. Plus, a regular walk is important for your pet too. Obesity in dogs is associated with numerous health issues, including cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and insulin resistance. The walk will make your best friend happy, as they can check out the sights and smells. To make the walk enjoyable and safe, maintain control of your dog at all times. Keep them close to you when other dogs are around. 

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