The Emotional Toll of Personal Injuries
In the immediate aftermath of an injury, especially a traumatizing one such as a traffic injury, a fall, medical malpractice, or defective products, the primary concern is getting to safety and dealing with any physical injuries. However, few people ever consider the emotional toll that comes from severe injuries, especially if the injury impedes everyday life and the ability to function. The frustration of being unable to do physical tasks you used to be able to do easily, the financial burden of medical bills, and a variety of other aspects of healing from an injury all leave an emotional impact that you must consider during the recovery process.
Here are some of the emotional issues that might arise from personal injuries:
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological condition that occasionally follows traumatic events, such as accidents. It might manifest in a variety of ways, such as emotional numbness, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. Those suffering from this disorder do not always show signs right away or soon after the trauma. Sometimes the symptoms of PTSD start to manifest in as much as a year following the incident. Anyone who has been the victim of an incident that resulted in an incapacitating injury should consult with their doctor to see if emotional counseling and occupational therapy are needed.
Rollercoaster emotions
Intense emotions following a personal injury can be quite common, especially frustration at the healing process, being unable to perform routine tasks like walking, and a sense of injustice at the entire situation. Many people must go through the stages of grief, which include anger, denial, and sadness, along with accompanying emotions like fear, confusion, and a lack of patience.
Psychological distress
Depending on the nature of the event that caused the injury, many victims of a personal injury struggle with various forms of psychological distress. Following an accident or injury, many victims experience fear, problems sleeping, distrust of certain people, and difficulty coping. In the long term, some individuals might develop anxiety and depression. Occasionally, the victim might not exhibit any immediate signs of distress but might find that a triggering event, such as revisiting the scene of the accident, might cause buried feelings to surface unexpectedly.
Impact on quality of life
A personal injury can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life if it causes difficulty in physical movement or ability, or even permanent damage such as paralysis. Injuries of this kind can lead to financial struggles due to medical bills or the inability to work. Combined physical and emotional stress is known to have a negative impact on the quality of life of the victim, impeding recovery.
Emotional Impact and Recovery
Injuries do not just cause pain to the body; they also cause pain to the mind. Stress in and of itself causes negative physical discomfort, such as nightmares, disrupted sleep, fatigue, anxiety, intestinal discomfort, weight gain, and substance abuse. It may also take time for the full impact of an injury’s emotional toll to manifest, as many emotional side effects do not present for several weeks or months. Recovery from injury requires physical healing and therapy, but often also requires counseling. The victim must also prioritize self-care during the healing process, with relaxation, appropriate physical activity, positive affirmation and meditation practices, and healthy nutrition. Seeking support from loved ones also helps in this process, and working with legal experts to obtain restitution helps to ease the burden of recovery. If you have suffered a recent personal injury, seek the help of medical, legal, and counseling professionals and get on the road to recovery right away.
