When you suffer a sudden life changing injury in an accident, friends and family can often overlook the fact that the psychological impact of a serious injury can be just as significant as the physical effects.
In many serious injury cases, a new disability can mean:
- A questioning of life values
- A change of a role in the family
- Getting used to the involvement of healthcare professionals
- Dealing with a change in other people's perception of you
- Loss or reduction of earnings or income
A person who is recovering from a serious injury may also experience symptoms of depression, including:
- Loss of interest in what may have previously been an enjoyable activity
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Inability to concentrate
- Feeling overwhelmed and lacking in confidence
- Increase in alcohol and drug intake
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Trouble getting to sleep
- Feeling worthless and helpless
- Increase in irritability
- Feelings of unhappiness and/or frustration most of the time
- Suicidal thoughts
Furthermore, the daily stress and worry of coping with daily life can lead to symptoms of anxiety. These may include:
- Hot and cold flushes
- Quick heartbeat
- Tightening of the chest
- Worries that seem to snowball
- Repetitively going over the same thoughts
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can also develop after a serious injury, especially if the accident that led to your serious injuries was terrifying or life-threatening, and it was not your fault.
Common Signs of PTSD include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Vivid nightmares
- A constant searching for signs of danger
- Irritability
- Avoiding certain activities, places or people that are reminders of the event
- Lack of concentration
- Detachment from family and friends
- Emotional numbness
- Feeling upset after suffering a serious injury that has left a person