Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events. For many, it’s being involved in a road accident. It leaves one with many symptoms of struggle – heightened anxiety, vivid flashbacks, difficulty focusing, and more. These can all severely impact your daily life, making it challenging to move forward or drive without thinking back.

Therapy and Counselling for PTSD

 Getting professional help is an important step in managing PTSD after a road accident. Therapists can give you strategies to cope with the anxiety of getting behind the wheel again and relive the trauma in a safe environment, all so you can ease back into normal activities.

Dr Lee Randall from the Road Ethics Project, with her work as an occupational therapist, also notes how one must give oneself time to ease back into it all. One of her key pieces of advice is to also confide in a supportive family member, friend, or colleague about what you’re feeling, and even to invite them as a passenger to calm any nerves that linger when you’re on the roads again.

And to be self-aware: “After a road accident, you can have intrusive and avoidance symptoms of PTSD,” says Dr Randall, “either having flashbacks of the accident, bad nightmares that awaken that trauma. On the other side, you can avoid anything related to that experience like driving another route. Some people experience being emotionally numb.”

Affordable ways to manage PTSD

Financial constraints can make accessing counselling challenging. However, there are still ways to work through trauma without breaking the bank:

  1. Connect with others who have experienced similar trauma. Join a support group can provide a sense of community and shared understanding.
  2. There is support for you online and someone who wants to listen. Call the South African Federation for Mental Health Helpline on 011 781 1852.
  3. Take small steps to get back to driving like driving short, familiar routes during the day – gradually increase the distance and you find your confidence growing.
  4. Acknowledge that it’s normal to feel anxious and panicky after a traumatic event. Allow yourself to process your emotions without judgement.

Driving again after a road accident

Living with PTSD after a road accident is challenging, but it’s important to know that you can chat about it and that support is available to manage symptoms. Take one step at a time, be patient with yourself, and that you are not alone.

For signs of PTSD after a road accident, read more here. Look after yourself and remember, don’t drive faster than your angel can fly!

Angel in Charge,

Trevor Case