Psychology
Not all injuries from a car accident are physical in nature. A traumatic experience can also affect your mental health in significantly negative ways. One of the most common complaints following a car accident is a post-traumatic stress disorder. A psychologist or therapist in New York and New Jersey can help you learn how to cope with psychological symptoms in a positive way.
Contact No-Fault doctors today to discover how we can help you with a psychologist appointment in the New York area. We understand and take pride in helping anyone with psychological issues and try to help relieve any stress or issues they may be facing currently. Mental health is important to overall health and our psychologists are here for you!
What Are the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Everyday experiences can trigger symptoms of PTSD by reminding you of the accident or making you feel that you are under threat. The trigger is usually something very small and mundane, and your reaction to it is disproportionate to it. There are four different types of PTSD symptoms:
Avoidance
Refusing to talk about the traumatic event and staying away from anything that reminds you of it, including activities, people, and places.
Arousal Symptoms
Changes in your emotional and physical reactions, e.g., overwhelming shame or guilt, outbursts of anger, or startling easily.
Intrusive Memories
Uncontrollable remembrances of the accident in the form of nightmares or flashbacks.
Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood
For example, memory loss about the accident or feeling of detachment from people you are close to.
When Do PTSD Symptoms Emerge?
Symptoms of PTSD usually start showing up fairly soon after the accident, often within a few weeks. However, symptoms may not emerge for months or years. When they do emerge, they can vary in intensity, becoming stronger when you are faced with things that remind you of the accident or when you are experiencing general stress.
How Can a Psychologist Help With PTSD?
Psychologists and therapists may take several different approaches to help you manage symptoms of PTSD:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR is a technique intended to help you process your memories of the car accident and change your reaction to them through a series of guided eye movements.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy helps you identify damaging patterns of thinking related to the accident. It teaches you to change these patterns to be more constructive.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy teaches you to cope effectively with frightening memories and situations by facing them in a safe environment.
If your therapist believes that you could benefit from medication for your PTSD symptoms, he or she may refer you to a psychiatrist. This is a medical doctor who specializes in treating psychological disorders and has the authority to prescribe medication, which psychologists and therapists usually do not.
When Do You Need To Seek Help for PTSD?
You should seek help immediately if your PTSD causes you to have thoughts of suicide or of hurting yourself. You should seek help for severe symptoms or those that last more than a month. If symptoms interfere with your daily life, i.e., prevent you from performing your normal activities, you need to see a professional.
Connect With Top Psychologists After a Car Accident
No-Fault Doctors can connect you to mental health professionals who can help you with PTSD. They have specific experience in treating patients who have been in car accidents and are still dealing with the psychological effects. Don’t wait to get the help you need; contact us today!