Fear of driving and stress after a crash: when to ask for help
Which reactions are normal after an accident, when they may be a sign of post-traumatic stress and which treatments work, according to NIMH and the VA.
The neck and back are not the only things that get hurt in a crash. Some people grip the wheel every time the car ahead brakes, some go out of their way to avoid that intersection, some dream about the impact. Almost nobody brings this up at a doctor’s visit, and it is worth bringing up.
What is normal at first
The National Center for PTSD at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) explains that after a traumatic event it is normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge and sleep badly. Everyday things, like work or time with family, can feel harder.
The good news: most people start to feel better after a few weeks. Having these reactions does not mean something is wrong with you.
When it may be something more
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a diagnosis that may apply when symptoms do not go away. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that accidents are among the events that can cause it, and that:
- Symptoms usually begin within 3 months, although they sometimes appear later.
- For a diagnosis, they must last more than a month and be severe enough to interfere with daily life, such as work or relationships.
The symptoms fall into four types:
- Reliving what happened: nightmares, memories that hit suddenly, distress at reminders.
- Avoidance: not wanting to drive, changing your route, not wanting to talk about the crash.
- Negative thoughts and mood: guilt, shame, feeling the world is dangerous, losing interest in things you enjoyed.
- Feeling keyed up: being easily startled, irritability, trouble sleeping or concentrating.
Only a mental health professional can diagnose PTSD. This list is there to help you know when to make an appointment, not to diagnose yourself.
When to talk to a doctor
The VA recommends talking to a doctor or mental health provider if symptoms last more than a month, are very upsetting or disrupt your daily life. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help: if you have stopped driving or have slept badly since the crash, that is reason enough.
Treatment works
According to NIMH, the main treatments are psychotherapy, medication or both. The VA adds that for many people treatment makes symptoms go away altogether, and for others it makes them fewer or less intense. Support from family, friends or a group helps too.
How we can help
Tell us how you have been at your visit, not just what hurts. Your doctor can assess what is going on, see whether sleep or pain is making things worse and, if needed, refer you to a mental health professional with trauma experience. And you can talk about it in English or Spanish, whichever comes more easily.
If you are going through a very hard time or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is open 24 hours a day, every day. For Spanish, call 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988.
Sources
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Traumatic Events and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD. PTSD Basics.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Get Help.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Is the 988 Lifeline available in other languages?.
This article is general information about our clinic and about reactions after an accident. It is not medical or legal advice and does not replace a consultation with a professional. If you have a medical emergency or are in danger, call 911.