HOW IS YOUR MENTAL WELLNESS AFTER A COLLISION OR OTHER TRAUMA?
All too often we assume trauma must be caused by a major event, but trauma comes in all shapes and sizes and includes anything that affects a person to the point that it reduces their quality of life. Even an observer of a difficult event can be affected by trauma. Emotional distress is common, and even “normal”, after a trauma. Ongoing stress can follow for days or weeks. However, when your quality of life is affected by a traumatic event, it’s time to reach out for professional help.
RISK FACTORS
Here are a few factors that may place a person at greater risk for trauma:
Stressful employment, relationships, etc.
Lack of financial stability
Family history of mental health issues
Lack of social support or stable relationships
Prior mental health diagnosis
COMMON SYMPTOMS AFTER A TRAUMA
With or without these risk factors, if you experience any of the following that didn’t exist prior to or that was made worse by the event, you may benefit from professional help:
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Anxiety, depression, or hopelessness
Fear of exposure to related activities such as riding in/driving an automobile after a collision
Placing upon yourself anger, guilt, or blame
Inability to remember some or all the trauma
Having nightmares or flashbacks
Trouble focusing or easily distracted
Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used with people experiencing the above symptoms. CBT is a goal-oriented and evidence-based therapy that focuses on helping people change negative thoughts and behaviors and develop healthier coping skills. CBT is designed to affect our behaviors, thoughts, and feelings as the three are inextricably linked. By changing our thoughts and behaviors, we can improve our emotional well-being. It involves a collaborative approach between the therapist and client, where the therapist helps the client identify negative thoughts and behaviors that are contributing to their problems. CBT is a present-focused therapy that emphasizes what is happening in the client's life now, rather than what happened in the past. CBT uses a variety of techniques, including exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral activation to help the client achieve their goals.
Exposure therapy helps people overcome their fear and anxiety by gradually exposing them to the object, situation, or memory that triggers their symptoms. This technique can be done in several ways, such as imaginal exposure, where the person imagines the feared situation, or in vivo exposure, where the person is gradually exposed to the feared object or situation. Exposure therapy involves helping people to cope with fear and anxiety when in triggering situations so they no longer feel that they must avoid the situations entirely Exposure therapy is often used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and other disorders related to traumas such as those associated with auto collisions.
Cognitive restructuring helps people change negative or distorted thinking that can cause or contribute to depression and anxiety. This method involves helping individuals identify negative thoughts and beliefs, challenge them with evidence and logical reasoning, and reframe them into more realistic and positive thoughts. Cognitive restructuring helps people to develop a more balanced and rational perspective on their problems, leading to a reduction in distress and an improvement in overall mental health.
Behavioral activation increases individuals' engagement in enjoyable and fulfilling activities to help alleviate symptoms of depression. Behavioral activation helps people identify the activities they once enjoyed and stopped doing due to their depression or trauma and encourages them to engage in those activities again, even if they do not feel motivated to do so. Behavioral activation helps individuals to develop a more positive outlook on life and experience more positive emotions, leading to an improved mood and increased activity level.
Mood symptoms after trauma are common. Many individuals may benefit from a brief course of therapy to help process their trauma to avoid developing more troublesome psychological difficulties later. Others have been living with mood symptoms after a trauma for quite some time. Regardless, you are not alone, and help is available. Call today or ask your doctor to discuss options for evaluation and treatment of your trauma symptoms.
*This article was contributed to by Dr. Lisa Manderino, Ph. D., a Neuropsychologist at Aptiva Health Sports Medicine. For questions or to schedule an appointment call us today at 1-844-999-3627.