While the physical injuries after an auto accident often take the most attention, it is the mental issues that could develop that tend to leave the longest-lasting effects. You cannot provide surgery or stitches to help fix a mental effect from a crash.
Severe trauma from an accident could lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a very serious mental health condition that can impact every aspect of your life.
Trauma is trauma
Many people have a hard time realizing that a car crash could lead to PTSD. But the brain does not differentiate between types of trauma. Whether you just saw the accident or were inside one of the vehicles, it can really shake your psyche, leading to PTSD.
Pay attention to problems
You may not even realize that you have PTSD. It can manifest as what may seem like minor effects, such as not wanting to drive or an increase in anxiety. But once it is bad enough, you will notice that it impacts your daily life. You may also start to experience more severe symptoms that greatly inhibit your ability to go through life as you did prior to the accident.
Ignoring PTSD will not help you. You should seek therapy as soon as possible to work through the trauma and manage your condition. Just getting a formal diagnosis can bring some relief.
A car accident may lead to many health issues, but you should be aware not all will be physical. Take care of your mental health, too.
