Road trauma can leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, helpless and vulnerable. This blog discusses common reactions to road trauma, ways to cope, and indicators of when to seek additional help.
Common reactions to road trauma
It is common to experience a range of upsetting thoughts, feelings, and even physical reactions after a crash. Anyone that has directly been involved in a road incident or if you have witnessed one, been a first responder or has had a loved one involved in a road crash can experience physical and emotional reactions.
- Emotional Reactions can include shock, disbelief, fear, sadness, grief, guilt, anger, and shame, as well as feeling overwhelmed and powerless.
- Physical Reactions can look like trembling, sweating, breathing rapidly, increased heartbeat, stomach-churning, crying, restlessness and disrupted sleep.
- Behaviours and thoughts can be thinking over and over again about what you saw and heard at the crash site, avoiding driving, finding it hard to accept what happened, avoiding speaking to other people, being easily distracted, forgetting things easily, obsessing about whether you could have done anything differently, worrying about family and friends as well as flashbacks (re-living) of the trauma.
Ways to cope after road trauma
Experiences of road trauma can look vastly different from person to person. However, there are things you can do to assist your recovery after road trauma, including:
- Recognising that you have experienced a very stressful event and allow yourself time and space to adjust.
- Allowing your feelings to come and go, like waves. Most trauma reactions will gradually decrease in frequency and intensity as time passes. Be mindful when your negative feelings ebb and flow.
- Maintain a normal routine as much as possible. If you need to take some time off work or school, still try to structure your day with regular times for eating, sleeping, exercising and spending time with family and friends.
- Try to do things that are relaxing or provide some relief from thinking too much about the traumatic event. This could mean watching a movie, reading a book, having a massage, playing a team sport, doing something creative or cooking.
Some people feel guilty if they “act normally” or enjoy themselves in any way after trauma; however it is important to realise that constantly thinking about and focussing on the traumatic event, is not helpful and will slow the recovery process.
- Avoid using alcohol or drugs to numb your feelings or pass time.
- Reach out and spend time with people who care about you and who you feel safe talking to. You may feel like avoiding social activities, however social support from other people is vital to recovery from trauma. Ask for help and support and let other people help with errands.
- Find healthy ways to express difficult feelings. Talking with someone who you trust, who won’t judge you or expect you to “get over it”, is helpful.
- If you can’t talk with your loved ones for any reason, it may be good for you to talk to a professional experienced in dealing with your trauma and grief. Although it is healthy to express your feelings, be conscious that repeatedly talking about a traumatic event can re-trigger your emotional and physical reactions.
In the past, ‘ debriefing’ was often provided immediately after traumatic events. We now know that this can actually worsen the effects of the trauma and delay healing. It may be better to let a friend or family member answer calls or questions on your behalf after a road trauma.
When to seek help after road trauma
For most people, time, understanding and support from family and friends are the most important requirements for recovery – professional counselling is often not needed.
While most people will recover from trauma, some people may experience ongoing or highly distressing symptoms that may interfere with their normal life.
The following are signs that you should seek professional advice:
- If you are having ongoing severe symptoms that are impacting your life.
- If you are having trouble functioning at home or work, your relationships are suffering, or you’re having an increasingly difficult time connecting with others.
- If you feel confused, emotionally numb to everything or out of touch with reality, avoid more and more things that remind you of the event.
- If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others.
A trained professional can help to normalise your experiences and assist you in coping with the trauma in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental manner.
Even if the trauma occurred some time ago, it is never too late to seek help.
You can contact Road Trauma Support WA at any time after a crash and have a confidential discussion with a trained counsellor about your experience.
We are committed to being respectful of cultural and family values and providing our service in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
For more information or to book an appointment:
- Call: (08) 6166 7688 or 1300 004 814 (free call)
- Email: [email protected]