PTSD After a Tragic Motorcycle Crash: How to Deal With It?
When it comes to motorcycle crash and accidents in general, the initial concern almost always is mostly focused on physical injuries for those that have been involved. While going to the doctor and getting help immediately is incredibly important, there is another important thing that many people regularly overlook. After some time has passed from the accident and the initial shock has already subsided, many fail to recognize just to what extent an accident has impacted their mental health.
All of that being said, if you are suffering from PTSD after a tragic motorcycle crash and are looking for different ways in which you can get better, in this article, we are going to talk about some ways in which you can do so.
PTSD and motorcycle crashes
Motorcycle accidents, even at a low speed can turn out to be extremely traumatic, as a lot of them end up sending the person on a motorcycle crashing to the pavement or into a guardrail. Not everyone has the same response to such trauma though, for some, the accident could create a fear of riding. On the other hand, there are people who could happen to suffer from severe symptoms of PTSD after the accident. These symptoms may vary, but the most prominent ones include the following:
● Having flashbacks to the traumatic event
● A constant state of alertness to danger
● Getting startled easily
● Uncontrollable thoughts that cause fright and distress
● Avoiding everything that has any connection to the accident
● Sleeping problems
● Self-destructive behaviors
● Avoidance of friends and relatives
Compensation can help you financially
Opting for compensation might be a great way for you to start recovering financially, which is definitely going to help to set the stage for everything else. Motorcycle accidents stand out among other similar types of car-related accidents as the injuries tend to be quite severe more often than not, ultimately leading to high medical bills more often than not.
So, how much can you expect from legal compensation? Well, Scott Davis, a motorcycle collision lawyer in Chattanooga goes on to explain that the amount of accident-related compensation that you receive should be enough to cover your medical bills – both for physical and emotional trauma suffered in the crash. It should be noted that in general, compensation should cover any of the medical treatments that you might need in the future that are a direct result of the accident, so, emotional counseling for PTSD can be covered as well.
Don’t stray away from opening up to people
Talking about things that cause you pain is never easy, but we oftentimes tend to overlook that keeping them in oftentimes is just as, if not even harder than opening up. Surely, you don’t need to talk about everything at once, but gradually opening up to people you trust can help you get better at expressing how you feel constructively rather than bottling your emotions up to the point where everything seems way too overwhelming.
When it comes to who you should talk to, there’s no right or wrong answer really. It all depends on who you assess to be the one that’s the best listener, and that they are able to understand you and actually help you feel better.
No shame in asking for professional help
Here’s the thing, talking with your friends or family is one thing, but opting to seek professional help is a whole other thing. Don’t get us wrong though, talking with just about anyone is useful, but being guided through the process of healing by a credible professional is going to ensure that you tackle your struggles way more effectively. These people have a lot of experience, and if you seek their help, as time goes by, you will get exponentially better.
Unfortunately, even nowadays, there still is some stigma regarding mental health and whether one should really opt for seeking professional health or just “deal with it”. We are here to assure you that, just because thoughts like those exist, they are by no means true whatsoever. Mental health is extremely important, and if something, being vigilant enough to take the step towards
feeling better shows nothing but pure bravery.
In the end, all of us are different and hence deal with our struggles in a different way. There is no general rule book that states a certain pathway that would apply to all of us, which is why it is extremely important for you not to be too hard on yourself if something doesn’t immediately work out the way you wanted it to.
Dealing with mental health problems is a path of trial and error, but you should know, there is a way out and things are going to get better. Keep pushing, don’t stray away from asking for help, and be patient – you will recover!
