How to cope with post-traumatic stress after a car accident

In 2022, 1,194 people died in a road crash but thousands more had a car accident that was not fatal but probably traumatic. As many as 64% of surveyed Australians over 18 say they have experienced at least one car crash.

If you’ve been in a car accident and escaped with only minor injuries, you may feel lucky. In fact, people may also tell you the same.

But that doesn’t mean that mentally, you don’t feel distressed. When someone wrote off my car by turning in front of a line of traffic travelling at 80km/h with no warning, the moment froze in time.

For days afterwards, I was unable to sleep, the shock of the event still jangling my nerves. Even worse, I was easily able to picture the event, hear the sounds, and even feel the crash, as the accident seemed frozen in time.

NSW psychotherapist Shirley Hughes says a serious road accident can cause trauma that leads to reexperiencing it with persistent symptoms of arousal or nervousness.

“Flashbacks and nightmares triggered by sights or situations, or even just talking about the accident, are common,” she says.

While these symptoms eventually subside for most people, others can struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for long periods after the accident has happened.

“You are suffering from PTSD if you experience the same feelings triggered by similar stimuli,” says Hughes.

This disorder can lead to social isolation, relationship problems and even substance abuse.

If you feel anxious, taking good care of yourself can help. What does that look like? Regular healthy meals, only drinking alcohol within safe limits, and plenty of exercise as well as sleep.

Exercise releases feel-good endorphins and can make it easier to get enough rest at night. It can also help you work off feelings of anger.

Other self-care ideas include writing in a journal, having a massage, talking to a friend, practising a relaxation exercise with a free app such as Insight Timer and trying a herbal medicine designed to calm nerves or assist sleep available at your pharmacy.

Immediately after an accident, you will probably be reluctant to drive. You may even be nervous about riding in a car as a passenger.

Slowly regaining confidence may be a matter of driving with a friend, driving only short distances within your neighbourhood, or even taking defensive driving classes.

Remember, it’s important to focus on the things you can control as you move forward. This may include practising safe driving behaviours such as minimising distractions including mobile phones, music or eating and drinking in the car.

Remember it is normal to feel upset, or angry, straight after an accident. But if you still feel emotional, anxious, or unable to drive weeks later, it’s important to get help.

See your GP who may refer you to an appropriate therapist.

Helen Hawkes is a UNIFAM-qualified counsellor.

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