Post-traumatic Stress After a Traffic Accident
Each year more than 6 million traffic accidents occur in the United States. If you've been in an accident, you might have experienced many different feelings at the time of the accident and in the days following it. Some of these feelings might have included the following:
- Shock
- Trouble believing it really happened
- Anger
- Nervousness or worry
- Fear or uneasiness
- Guilt
In addition, you might keep going over the accident in your mind. You might feel like you can't stop thinking about it.
Most people who have been in an accident have some (or all) of these feelings. Sometimes, though, these feelings can be so strong that they keep you from living a normal life after the accident.
What's the difference between normal feelings after an accident and feelings that are too strong?
For most people who are in a traffic accident, overwhelming feelings about it go away over time.
However, sometimes, those feelings don't go away or they become stronger, changing the way you think and act. Strong feelings that stay with a person for a long time and start to get in the way of everyday life are signs of a condition called post-traumatic stress. If you have post-traumatic stress, you may have some of the following problems:
- An ongoing, general feeling of uneasiness
- Problems driving or riding in vehicles
- Not wanting to have medical tests or procedures done
- Irritability, or excessive worry or anger
- Nightmares or trouble sleeping
- A feeling that you're not connected to other events or people
- Ongoing memories of the accident that you can't stop or control
How can I cope with the feelings I have after my accident?
- Talk to friends, relatives or a counselor about the details of the accident and how you thought, felt and acted at the time of the accident and in the days after it.
- Stay active. Exercise often and take part in activities (anything that doesn't bother any injuries you sustained during the accident). Your family doctor can help you figure out how much you can do safely.
- Follow up with your family doctor. Your doctor can give you referrals to other health care providers if necessary, monitor your recovery and prescribe any medicine you may need.
- Try to get back to your daily activities and routines. Traffic accidents make some people limit what they do. It's important to try to get back to your usual activities, even if you're uncomfortable or scared at first.
- Learn to be a defensive driver. Driving or riding in cars might be hard after the accident. You can lower your risk of future accidents or injuries by driving carefully, wearing your seat belt at all times and avoiding distractions while you're driving. Avoid driving when you're tired. Never drive if you have had alcohol or taken drugs or medicines that affect your judgment.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety problem. It can develop after your safety or life has been threatened, or after you experience or see a traumatic event. Some examples of traumatic events are a natural disaster, rape, severe car crash or fighting in a war. Usually, the event makes you feel very afraid or helpless. People with PTSD have trouble coping with and recovering from traumatic events and often feel the effects for months or even years afterwards.
Who develops PTSD?
Whether you'll develop PTSD may depend partly on how severe and intense the trauma was and how long it lasted. Powerful fear-related memories of the event seems to be a major part of PTSD. People who have anxiety, depression or other mental disorders are more likely to develop PTSD. People who have been victims of previous trauma are also at greater risk.
Who is at risk for developing PTSD?
The following people may be at risk for PTSD:
- Soldiers, prisoners of war, veterans or victims of war or combat
- Survivors of rape, domestic violence, physical assault such as a mugging or any other random act of violence
- Survivors of unexpected events such as car wrecks, fires or terrorist attacks
- Anyone who has responded to traumatic events such as firefighters, police or rescue workers
- Anyone who has been victimized
- Anyone who has seen a violent act
- Survivors of natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes
- Anyone who has been sexually or physically abused
- Anyone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or those who have had surgery
- Anyone who has experienced grief such as the unexpected loss of a loved one
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
You can have symptoms right after the trauma or they can develop months, or even years, later. Your symptoms may include:
- Having flashbacks, nightmares, bad memories or hallucinations
- Trying not to think about the trauma or avoiding people who remind you of it
- Not being able to recall parts of the event
- Not interested in life events
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached from others
- Having trouble sleeping
- Being irritable, angry or jumpy
- Being hypervigilant
- People with PTSD are often depressed. Sometimes they try to feel better by using alcohol or drugs. This can lead to substance abuse and addiction.
How is PTSD diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose PTSD by talking with you about your symptoms and experiences.
How is PTSD treated?
There are many treatments available. Learning about PTSD and talking to a mental health professional who is trained in treating PTSD can help. Support from family and friends is also an important part of treatment. Medicines for depression or anxiety may also be helpful. PTSD can lead to depression and substance abuse. These problems should be treated before or during PTSD treatment.
How long does PTSD last?
PTSD can be treated successfully. However, without treatment, it can last several months to many years, depending on what happened to you and how you feel about it.
What can I do to help myself recover?
Learn more about PTSD, and work with your doctor or therapist to get better.
Check your local phone directory or online for support groups in your area. Tell your Pastor or church leaders for help or assistances available.
Social Phobia
What is social phobia?
Most people feel nervous in certain social situations, such as at a job interview, a high school reunion or giving a speech. Most of us worry about what we're going to say, do or even wear during events like these. These situations often become easier with some experience. However, for people who have social phobia (also called social anxiety disorder), these events and other social situations can be very frightening and disabling.
People who have social phobia usually begin to notice it when they are in their early teens, although some people have had it for as long as they can remember. For others, it develops later in life, as social demands increase. Social phobia often runs in families. Sometimes it leads to other problems, such as depression or substance abuse.
How does a person who has social phobia feel?
Most people who have social phobia have a strong fear of being judged or embarrassed in front of other people. They feel as though everyone is watching them and will see them blush, sweat or otherwise show their fear and anxiety. They often believe that showing anxiety is a sign of weakness or inferiority. They also believe other people are more confident and competent than they really are.
People who have social phobia usually know their fears are not completely rational, but they still find themselves dreading social situations. They may go out of their way to avoid going to some events. If people with social phobia do go to an event, they usually feel very nervous before the event and very uncomfortable during it. Physical symptoms include:
- Blushing
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Trembling or shaking
- Difficulty talking or making eye contact
Afterward, the unpleasant feelings may linger as they worry about what other people at the event thought of them. Social phobia can make it difficult to go to work, school or take part in other daily activities.
How often is social phobia a problem?
Some people have social phobia in only a few situations, such as performing in public or talking to an important person. Others will have it in many situations, which may include using a public bathroom, eating in a restaurant, talking on the telephone or signing their name in front of people (such as when writing and signing a check at the grocery store).
What helps people with social phobia?
Social phobia is an ongoing disorder that usually needs to be treated with medical care. It's not just shyness and usually does not go away on its own. Your family doctor can help you find ways to control your fears.
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people think about social situations differently so they don't fear them. The therapy also involves learning how to reduce anxiety, as well as improving social and conversational skills.
Medicines called antidepressants and benzodiazepines can also help some people with social phobia. People who have a certain form of social phobia, called "performance anxiety," can take medicines called beta- blockers just before they perform to ease their anxiety.
Sometimes a combination of therapy and medicine works the best. Your doctor will know how to help treat your case of social phobia.