When browsing through the news, you may find headlines such as: “Motorcyclist seriously injured in crash on I-95” or “Fatal motorcycle accident early this morning on…” or maybe “28-year-old motorcyclist dies in crash in Broward County.” These are just one small sign of how dangerous and deadly motorcycle accidents can be. Obviously, it should not surprise anyone that this is the case since a motorcycle rider is not surrounded by a steel frame, has no airbags for protection, and cannot rely on other safety features offered by a car.
To make matters even worse, there is a tendency among insurance companies to lump all motorcycle riders as one big group of reckless individuals in love with danger.
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Have you had a motorcycle accident and are experiencing PTSD?
If you have been in a motorcycle accident and are experiencing nightmares, disturbing thoughts, anxiety, depression, sadness, anger, fear, or if you are actively avoiding situations that you believe will bring back unwanted and undesirable memories of what happened, you are probably suffering from PTSD.
You should know that PTSD is quite common and it can happen to anyone. Also, PTSD may last months or years. Lights, sounds, and other events may trigger it when you least expect it. To understand what it is exactly that you are experiencing, it is important to be diagnosed by a healthcare professional.
A diagnosis of PTSD means that you have been having these symptoms for more than a month and that they have been causing you significant distress as well as problems in your daily life. It may also be accompanied by substance abuse, memory problems, and other mental and physical issues.
How can you overcome PTSD?
It is important to know that not everyone experiences PTSD the same way and not all cases require psychiatric treatment. There are milder cases where PTSD lessens or even disappears over time. In other cases, what works best is having the support of family and friends. The fact that your loved ones understand what happened to you and empathize may be the tool you need to recover from this distress.
Other cases tend to persist for longer periods of time and require the support of psychiatrists or other mental health professionals. The right combination of psychotherapy and medication may offer you the relief you seek. Cognitive behavior therapies also seem to be very effective.
Consider Group Therapy
Sharing your traumatic event with others who have experienced situations similar to yours can be of great help to overcome PTSD. The comfortable and non-judgmental setting gives sufferers the realization that they are not alone and that the way they responded to their trauma is not unusual.
If members of your family have started experiencing PTSD because of what happened, encourage them to seek a support group for families who have lived through similar experiences. They may be able to find relief for their symptoms in that setting.
Get Back on Your Bike After Your Accident
Motorcycle accidents happen all the time. You almost have to interpret them as part of the riding experience. That is why it is important for you to heal and get back on your bike.
Even if you do not have PTSD, you may be feeling a loss of confidence about getting back on your motorcycle. It may be a good idea to start slow, maybe plan a short first ride and see how you feel. Make sure your bike is in absolutely perfect condition and just get on it and go.
Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not solely the purview of motorcycle accident victims. Millions of Americans suffer from PTSD for a variety of reasons, including military combat, sexual assault, and, of course, motor vehicle accidents. The following information is about PTSD in general. If you are suffering from emotional trauma, contact a licensed mental health counselor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist to discuss your symptoms.
Are there personal factors that make PTSD more likely?
Age, gender, previous traumatic events, and other external and internal factors can all have a bearing on whether a traumatic event will lead to PTSD.
What types of events trigger PTSD episodes?
There are a variety of external factors that can trigger a PTSD episode, including anniversaries of the event, visual reminders, reminders that affect other senses, emotional reactions to unrelated occurrences, and even words or phrases.
Are there online resources for trauma survivors?
Because the Department of Veterans Affairs deals with so many cases of PTSD, they have a fully developed site and resource center. You can click on this link to find additional resources.
How common is PTSD?
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 7-8% of all individuals in the United States will have PTSD at some point in their lives. At any given time, 8 million people in the United States have PTSD during a given year.
PTSD is much more likely to occur in women than in men; approximately 10% of women will have PTSD at some point in their lives as opposed to 4% of men.
One of the keys to PTSD treatment is early detection. If you or a loved one have been involved in a traumatic event, seeking help immediately is one of the best ways to achieve a full and expeditious recovery. Reach out today.
Have you had an accident and suffered injuries?
If you have PTSD, the most important thing you can do is concentrate on recovering your health. Then, you probably want to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer that can help you with your case. By setting up an initial consultation, you will be able to share the details of the accident and get the right advice from a legal professional on how to proceed.
If needed, you may have to file a lawsuit and seek compensation from the party responsible for your injuries. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with the lawyer you need now.
