The Psychological Consequences Of Traffic Accidents
The operation of vehicles is essential for the maintenance of society, because without them, any minimally distant task in space would take too long. Thanks to a car, we can cross any country in a matter of days or weeks, with minimal monetary effort. Having a vehicle grants immeasurable freedom, but also a vital responsibility that we cannot forget.
The Association for Safe International Road Travel estimates that 1.35 million people die in traffic accidents every year, which translates into almost 3,700 deaths every 24 hours. Additionally, 20 to 50 million patients suffer injuries that are not fatal in these events, but cause emotional distress or long-term disability. For all these reasons, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death between 5 and 29 years of age.
We could continue citing studies and figures for hours, but we all have in mind that the responsibility behind the wheel is greater than in almost any other routine activity. Based on all these ideas, we show you here the psychological consequences of traffic accidents.
Without a doubt, physiological well-being is the first thing that must be taken into account after a collision in a vehicle, since some of the injuries caused in these events can end the lives of those involved in a matter of seconds. The publication Motor Vehicle collisions, published on the StatPearls portal, shows us some general realities regarding this topic.:
On the other hand, any trauma that manifests itself with systemic clinical symptoms and signs should be considered potentially dangerous, since a fracture in the spinal column must always be suspected. If the spinal cord (the body’s central nervous system) is irreparably damaged, it is common for the patient to present complete or incomplete paralysis. Quadriplegia is the main cause of admission (48%) to specialized hospitals in patients with loss of mobility..
How do traffic accidents affect mental health?
When a human being faces a traumatic or dangerous event, it is normal for them to become afraid and insecure when doing it again. There are countless testimonies from people who have suffered minimal accidents with their vehicle, but who at the same time feel that they are “going to crash” for a time after the event.
This is completely normal. Whether by social construct or as part of an evolutionary mechanism, every species tends to avoid what has endangered its life in the first place. It is a natural protection mechanism, but if it extends over time or if it expands to other areas of life, it can lead to a pathological condition. Below, we show you the main psychological conditions that people experience after a traffic accident.
1. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD or PTSD)
Contrary to popular belief, not all traffic accidents or traumatic events lead to PTSD. According to studies, 60 to 80% of people in the world face a traumatic event during their lifetime, but only 5 to 10% of them actually end up developing post-traumatic stress disorder. In the automotive field, only 1 in 10 drivers who describe the crash as “traumatic” end up showing signs of PTSD.
What we mean with these lines is that every patient after a traffic accident should focus on healing physically, and not increase the emotional burden and stress believing that they will develop a worse condition. In any case, it never hurts to know intrusive symptoms of PTSDstated by the American Psychological Association:
Without a doubt, all of these symptoms are reason to visit a mental health professional, since PTSD is a clinical entity that must be treated.
2. Anxiety
Defining the boundary between “trait” and “pathology” with anxiety is quite complex. Feeling anxiety after a traffic accident is completely normal, since sometimes the lives of those involved have been in danger.
It is estimated that 70% of people who have been in a serious crash have anxiety up to a month after the event., while 15% develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The latter is characterized by the duration of the symptoms, which is at least 6 months.
In addition to GAD, anxiety after a crash can manifest itself with phobia-type disorders. Depending on how severe the impact is, the probability of developing an absolute aversion to the vehicle may be higher or lower. Still, sources argue that up to 40% of people involved in serious accidents develop persistent car-related phobias.
3. Depression
Depression is correlated with PTSD and anxiety, in addition to the severity of the injuries and the context of the accident. As you can imagine, a person who has become quadriplegic after a blow or who has involuntarily ended the life of another human being will be much more likely to develop depression than someone who has had a minimal crash.
In general, the chances of developing a depressive disorder are associated with the severity of the injuries and the degree of resulting disability.
Are you looking for psychological assistance?
Taking care of the body after a traffic accident is essential, but once the most important wounds have healed, it is always a good idea to explore the psychological consequences of such an intense event. After a collision with another vehicle (especially if it has involved quantifiable damage), The visit to the psychologist will be positive in all casesboth to express oneself and relativize the situation and to manage possible resulting disorders.
If you are looking for psychotherapy services, contact us.
