Surviving a truck accident is a life-changing experience that affects you physically and emotionally. For many people, the psychological impact can manifest as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This condition disrupts people’s lives in many ways, through flashbacks, anxiety, and insomnia.
Reports show the chances of making it out in a truck accident are around 38.8%, which is low. In Austin, where 12,433 traffic accidents were reported in 2021, drivers should be very careful when driving.
If you are involved in a collision with these large vehicles, reach out to a truck accident lawyer in Austin. They can guide you on the next steps.
Read on to get some tips on how to cope with PTSD after a truck accident as you work towards recovery.
Get Professional Help
Reaching out to a therapist or counselor who specializes in trauma is one of the most effective ways of dealing with PTSD. These professionals can offer personalized strategies to help you cope with the symptoms and learn how to get back in control of your emotions.
Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are used to reframe negative thoughts. Other techniques like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories, which assists in recovery.
One more thing to note here is that not every victim will like or be on the same page with the therapist they meet. There may be personality conflicts, financial issues, or simply, a particular therapist’s treatment may not deliver. This is normal. Victims need to switch therapists until they find one that they can relate to and feel can truly help.
Build a Support System
PTSD mostly makes people feel isolated. However, the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. Talk openly with your trusted family members and friends about your feelings and what you experienced. Sharing your thoughts will help lighten the emotional burden.
Additionally, try joining support groups, especially those for truck or accident survivors. This will help you get comfort and guidance from people who understand what you are going through.
Practice Stress-Relief Techniques
Add stress-relief methods like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga to your routine. These techniques will help in calming your mind and reducing anxiety.
Regular physical exercises can also assist your body with releasing endorphins that improve your mood and reduce stress. The key is to find ways to relax to manage the PTSD symptoms.
For some victims, these classes, be it gym or yoga clubs, might be a way to find like-minded people. Interacting with them may be hugely beneficial to the victim, not just in their recovery from PTSD, but also to their quality of life.
Have Health Routines
A structured daily routine can bring a sense of stability and normalcy to your life, which surprisingly helps with PTSD. Prioritize things that will keep you grounded, like:
● Sleep patterns
● Balanced diets and meals
● Scheduled activities like meditation or family/friends time
Avoid Triggers (Not Completely)
Avoiding triggers can worsen your PTSD symptoms over time. So, instead of avoiding triggers, work on gradually exposing yourself to situations that trigger your anxiety. You can start by driving and then graduate to driving next to a truck.
Exposure therapy, when guided by a professional, can help you overcome your fears in a safe and controlled manner.
Limit Substance Use
Unfortunately, after a traumatic event, you may find yourself seeking solace in substances. However, using drugs and alcohol to deal with your emotions can lead to overdependence, which will affect your recovery. Not just that, overdependence, or addiction, can lead to severe personal and financial difficulties that completely wreck the truck accident victim’s life.
Therefore, try to focus on healthier coping strategies such as hobbies and socializing. Overcoming PTSD requires both physical and emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Coping with PTSD after surviving a truck accident is a challenging but achievable journey. Overcoming PTSD is possible with the right strategies. In addition to a therapist, the will to change also plays an important role. Without this, truck accident victims might find themselves stuck in a loop of activities that only worsen their condition.
A truck accident victim should also consider reaching out to an experienced lawyer. A legal professional is crucial in proving fault and all other facets of a truck accident claim.
Additionally, a truck accident lawyer’s expertise is important to proving the emotional impact of the collision, like PTSD. Insurance companies, or insurance adjusters, pull all types of tricks to deny, reduce, or, at the very least, delay compensation.
A lawyer is a great counter to the insurance adjuster. The lawyer knows what the insurance adjuster is up to and will do everything in their ability to protect the victim. A truck accident attorney will not rest until the victim wins fair compensation for their losses.
