The experience of surviving an accident evokes different feelings. Some feel anxious; others develop anger, nervousness, shock, and disbelief. While some of these feelings may go away, others may stay and interfere with everyday life. A Lakeland law firm states that to get insurance compensation, that the manner of how car accidents happen is key. For instance, if it was caused by someone else’s negligent actions, you would have a strong case for compensation.
What Can You Do to Help Road Traffic Accident Survivors?
Many car accident survivors don’t acknowledge the experience as traumatizing. They associate trauma with incidents such as death or a natural disaster. Instead, they count themselves as lucky to have escaped from the jaws of death. They may be having anxiety when driving or riding in a vehicle, nightmares of the road accident scene, and deep-seated anger when discussing the accident are some pointers to an accident survivor seeking mental health services.
What then can you do to help a road accident survivor?
1. Connect with Them
Road accident survivors respond a lot in trying to process the whole event. Some may want to isolate themselves from the general public. Please encourage them to connect with others and maintain relationships with them. Spending time alone enables self-pity and self-loathing that makes things worse. During the connection moments, you should talk about general things. Only talk about the accident experience when they want to do it.
2. Affirm Them
Undergoing a traumatic experience may lower the self-esteem of the survivors. We must help them in rejuvenating their lost self-esteem. Tell them that what they went through is normal, and the symptoms will go away. In addition to this sympathetic listening, reassure them that nothing is wrong with them. Be their peace. They cannot be running away from their demons, and you add on to their pain? Do better.
3. Conduct Incident Stress Debriefing
It is a practice whereby you allow the participant to narrate the whole accident experience voluntarily. While doing so, they will be able to discuss their feelings and thoughts about the incident. In this entire process, reassure them that their feelings and thoughts are normal. However, they shouldn’t remain alone to probe their ideas at the beginning of the exercise. It overwhelms and leads them to misinterpret their symptoms as more severe than they are.
4. Offer Them Practical Help
An accident survivor may find it hard to carry out basic tasks such as cleaning up. They are stuck in moments of isolation and self-pity. In such a state, being productive may be an uphill task. It is, therefore, crucial to be there for them. Being there for such people may be in the form of offering them much-needed help. Visit them and offer to help with simple tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and organizing.
5. Advise Them to Self-Regulate
An accident survivor may be having difficulty trying to remain calm and composed. It is because of anxiety, nervousness, and grief that the experience’s aftermath may be creating. You can encourage and guide them to self-regulate feelings of defeat that result in these feelings. Taking deep breaths, allowing themselves to undergo feelings when they appear, and practically remaining grounded are some of the self-regulation techniques that can help them navigate post-traumatic stress.
There Is Power in Emerging from Post Traumatic Stress
It is possible to recover from a traumatic experience like an accident. When going through the motions, it is essential to seek the necessary help. It is both helpful and noble to be there for these people and emerge victorious in this battle.