Traumatic stress can occur after a disturbing event, which could include a plane crash, traffic accident, violent crime, terrorist attack, or natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Sometimes, you may feel overwhelmed or numb by many conflicting emotions accompanied by a traumatic workplace accident, like suicide or the accidental death of a colleague. These emotions don't just affect the victims of the event, but we are too bombarded by horrific images of suffering, tragedy, and loss every second that they happen anywhere in the world. Exposure to such events repeatedly can cause anxiety and traumatizing stress, just like if we had experienced everything first-hand.

Traumatic stress after an accident can cause you to feel helpless and vulnerable. You might feel emotionally and physically exhausted, overwhelmed by grief, or have trouble focusing, sleeping, or controlling your temper. Many times, the distressing thoughts and feelings associated with traumatic stress (as well as any physical symptoms) begin to fade over time. However, there are also instances where such trauma stays inside our unconscious mind, affecting our behavior, emotions, and feelings. 

There are many things you can do to help yourself to heal and come to terms with the trauma. There are many ways to calm your nerves and restore your emotional balance, regardless of whether you were there, saw it, or dealt with the aftermath.

Trauma Symptoms

Emotional symptoms of traumatic stress:

• Disbelief, Denial, and shock. It is difficult to accept the reality of what has happened or you feel disconnected from your emotions.
• Fear. Fear of repeating the same action, doing the same mistakes, or losing control.
• Feel sad or grieve, especially when someone you love has died or has suffered life-altering effects.
• Helplessness. You may feel helpless and vulnerable due to the unpredictable nature of natural disasters, violent crime, or pandemics.
• Feeling guilty about how you could have helped others when they died.
• Anger may come from resentment towards God, government officials, or other people you feel responsible for the accident.
• Shame, particularly for feelings or fears you cannot control.

Physical symptoms can include:

• Feeling dizzy, faint, stomach tightening or turning, or excessive sweating.
• Feeling trembling, shaking, or having trouble breathing.
• Rapid breathing, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and even a pounding heart.
• Racing thought is a condition where you are unable to stop or rest. 
• Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating, memory issues, confusion, and other problems.
• You may experience changes in your sleeping habits. For example, you may experience nightmares or insomnia.
• Unexplained aches, pains, migraines, and changes to sexual function.
• Increase in appetite or loss of appetite.

Coping with Trauma

Everybody has a different approach to the process of healing from the trauma of an accident. Some people find it easier to share their feelings openly, while others prefer to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves. There is no one way to deal with the trauma that is correct. The most important thing is to find a method that works best for you.

Here are some practical steps or self-care tips to help you deal with the aftermath of an accident.

• Recognize your emotions. It's normal to feel upset after a trauma like an accident. Do not try to suppress your emotions or ignore them. Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling, even if that's difficult.
• Discuss what happened. You can have a conversation about it with someone who understands and supports you. Talking about the incident can help you to process it and move on.
• Join a support group. Talking about an accident can be too difficult. These support groups offer a safe place to express your feelings and thoughts without fear.
• Keep active. It's tempting to spend the entire day in bed. Being active, on the other hand, can help you deal with trauma. Physical exercise is a mood stabilizer and improves your mood by releasing endorphins.
• Limit your exposure to media coverage about the accident. It can be difficult to deal with trauma if you see too many images and hear too many details.
• Keep your eyes open for the good things. Remaining positive can be difficult after a traumatizing event. However, focusing on the positives will help you get past it and move on. You can make a list of the things that make you happy and choose to do them every day.
• Take care. It's important to look after your body. Sleep well, eat healthy food, and avoid alcohol and drugs.

Get professional mental health help. 

Online Therapist at Asia’s Best Trauma Online Counselling platform can offer guidance and support to you as you deal with your trauma. Accidents can result in more than just physical harm. These issues can be addressed by a therapist or an Online Counsellor who will help you heal. 

A Trauma Therapist India online can offer a secure setting where you can start to evaluate your trauma while feeling safe, heard, and supported. A therapist or the “Best Clinical Psychologist near me” who is experienced in treating trauma shall be able to provide you with awareness exercises for the present moment and grounding techniques to help you start to feel safe. They can assist a trauma survivor in identifying their strengths and resources so that they can capitalize on them. The trauma survivor may be able to control their emotions and feel more secure in the present through treatment and Online Counselling. You can begin to process your experiences and understand the signs of trauma by working with a trauma therapist or the Best Psychologist in India.

What you should not do?

There are certain things to be done immediately after suffering a traumatic work accident. 

Please do not bottle up your emotions, indulge in risky ventures, and drugs, not take food, or make unnecessary lifestyle changes. 

Avoid talking too much about the accident with everyone, and leave the professionals, including lawyers, doctors, social workers, HR Managers, and psychologists to do their professional work. 

Seek Professional help after suffering a traumatic work accident, on everything. 

You first need to get proper medication and then hire a lawyer to help you file for compensation. 

Also, find psychologists at TalktoAngel, the best online trauma counselling platform, and use your family members and friends to overcome traumatic feelings. How you and your family get out of this crisis matters a lot to compassionate corporate. 

Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri and Utkarsh Yadav