Drunk driving accidents can leave people bloodied and bruised. But not all scars are visible. Many victims will struggle for years with the emotional fallout from a drunk driving crash. Whether you are struggling with physical or emotional injuries—or both—there are steps you can take to promote recovery.
Dealing with Anxiety
Almost a third of those involved in an accident have a negative response psychologically to the crash. Often, emotional distress is difficult to treat because even well-meaning people believe you can just “snap out of” depression, anxiety, or other negative emotions.
In truth, you will need to work on mental health just as you would need to rehabilitate your body. Anxiety has many symptoms, such as:
- Disrupted sleep
- Struggling to relax
- Worry
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
You can treat some of these symptoms, such as sleeplessness, with prescription drugs. Doing so can help reduce your stress. However, you should also talk to a doctor about seeing a counselor. Working through your negative emotions by talking with a professional can yield dividends.
Allow Yourself to Heal
Many physical injuries will heal if given enough time. The worst thing you can do is try to push yourself too hard too fast. It can be very frustrating staying at home or in bed, but that might be just what you need to get well.
Take it easy for a while and give yourself the time necessary to heal. If you need rehabilitation, then commit to it fully but realize that initial progress might be slow.
Improve Overall Health
A scary accident is a chance to reassess your overall health. Now is the time to lose extra weight, begin to exercise, and make sure you get sufficient sleep. Doing these things can improve physical and mental wellness.
If you don’t know where to begin, ask your doctor for help. To begin eating a better diet, you might need to meet with a dietician. For help developing an exercise routine, talk to a personal trainer (even if you don’t end up hiring them).
Start Driving Again
A source of anxiety for many people is getting back into a vehicle. Experts recommend taking it slowly. Maybe ride with someone to the end of the block and then build up by going on longer trips. You might also need anti-anxiety medication to help you start riding in a vehicle, especially at first.
Legal Help You Can Trust
Drunk drivers cause unnecessary damage on Miami’s roads and must be held accountable. A lawsuit for personal injury compensation can help you pay for sudden expenses and force drivers to change their behaviors.
Reach out to us today. A car accident lawyer at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein can meet with you if you call 305-371-2692.