Being involved in a motor vehicle collision in Alabama or elsewhere can be extremely traumatic. You may have sustained injuries, whether you were the driver or a passenger. There may be damage to the vehicle you were in. Perhaps you witnessed other people getting injured, which may have been frightening to see. The entire incident is shocking and unexpected.

What many of us do not realize, however, is that there can be damage psychologically after a car crash, as well as to your body. Even if you have minor or no physical injuries, the mental or emotional aftereffects are significant and should not be ignored or downplayed.

There can be various psychological effects after a crash. You might experience shock, depression, disbelief, anger, a jittery feeling or guilt. You may have a combination of these. Maybe you are thinking about the accident obsessively. Thought of what took place can interfere with your work, relationships and family life.

Usually, over time, the thoughts and emotions associated with the accident you experienced diminish gradually and become less troublesome. For other people, however, those thoughts and feelings steadily grow more intense and unsettling. There may be indications that you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What Are The Signs Of Ptsd?

• General uneasiness or discomfort
• Worrying about anything that brings back memories of the accident
• Shying away from medical procedures
• Acting uncharacteristically grouchy
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling strangely disconnected to what is going on around you

There are things you can do to ease the anguish you are going through. They include:

• Sharing your feelings with people close to you or a professional
• Being physically active unless you have injuries that do not allow it
• Staying in touch with your primary care physician for referrals or prescriptions
• Returning to your normal daily schedule
• Practicing safe driving habits

There are medical and legal professionals who can help you deal with the trauma of a car accident. Be mindful that your mind, as well as your body, may need time to fully heal.