SIGNS OF PTSD IN CHILDREN AFTER A CAR CRASH
PTSD can be difficult to recognize in children because it often presents differently. Children have not yet developed coping skills necessary to process trauma and may be unable to understand or verbalize their thoughts and emotions.
Children who exhibit any of the following symptoms should be evaluated by a professional who has experience with pediatric PTSD:
· Changes in affection shown to others
· Loss of interest in usual activities
· Detachment or isolation
· Excessive clinginess
· Aggressive or violent behavior
Changes in responsiveness to others
· Thumb-sucking
· Bathroom accidents
· Desire to sleep with parents again
· Inability to speak
Regression (a return to activities previously outgrown)
· Flashbacks
· Involuntary memories
· Repeatedly reliving the trauma through talk, play, or drawing
Traumatic re-enactment
· Fear of sleep
· Nightmares
· Bedwetting
· Insomnia (trouble going to sleep or staying asleep)
Sleep disturbances
· Stomachaches
· Headaches
· Loss of appetite
Physical symptoms
· Changes in affection shown to others
· Loss of interest in usual activities
· Detachment or isolation
· Excessive clinginess
· Aggressive or violent behavior
Changes in responsiveness to others
· Thumb-sucking
· Bathroom accidents
· Desire to sleep with parents again
· Inability to speak
Regression (a return to activities previously outgrown)
· Flashbacks
· Involuntary memories
· Repeatedly reliving the trauma through talk, play, or drawing
Traumatic re-enactment
· Fear of sleep
· Nightmares
· Bedwetting
· Insomnia (trouble going to sleep or staying asleep)
Sleep disturbances
· Stomachaches
· Headaches
· Loss of appetite
Physical symptoms
· Changes in affection shown to others
· Loss of interest in usual activities
· Detachment or isolation
· Excessive clinginess
· Aggressive or violent behavior
Changes in responsiveness to others
Children who exhibit any of the following symptoms should be evaluated by a professional who has experience with pediatric PTSD:
· Changes in affection shown to others
· Loss of interest in usual activities
· Detachment or isolation
· Excessive clinginess
· Aggressive or violent behavior
Changes in responsiveness to others
· Thumb-sucking
· Bathroom accidents
· Desire to sleep with parents again
· Inability to speak
Regression (a return to activities previously outgrown)
· Flashbacks
· Involuntary memories
· Repeatedly reliving the trauma through talk, play, or drawing
Traumatic re-enactment
· Fear of sleep
· Nightmares
· Bedwetting
· Insomnia (trouble going to sleep or staying asleep)
Sleep disturbances
· Stomachaches
· Headaches
· Loss of appetite
Physical symptoms
· Changes in affection shown to others
· Loss of interest in usual activities
· Detachment or isolation
· Excessive clinginess
· Aggressive or violent behavior
Changes in responsiveness to others
· Thumb-sucking
· Bathroom accidents
· Desire to sleep with parents again
· Inability to speak
Regression (a return to activities previously outgrown)
· Flashbacks
· Involuntary memories
Repeatedly reliving the trauma through talk, play, or drawing
Differences
1
Gender. Numerous studies show women are more likely to develop PTSD from car accidents than men. Researchers attribute this to the different manner in which women respond to trauma and the higher prevalence of previous traumas in women.
2
Genetics. Predisposition to post-traumatic stress disorder has been found to have a similar genetic component as mental health disorders like depression. Researchers estimate genetics can increase the risk for PTSD by five to twenty percent.
3
Personal and family history. Previous life events, mental health status, and family dynamics play a role in the human response to trauma. These risk factors include:
a. Previous traumatic events
b. History of long-term chronic trauma, such as child or spousal abuse
c. History of mental illness or substance abuse
d. Family members with mental illness or substance abuse
e. Lack of family support
4
Characteristics of the car accident. Experiencing an accident that is especially severe or where a fatality or serious injury occurred increases the risk of PTSD. The risk is especially high with the perception of the accident being life-threatening and the idea that “it could have been me.”
5
The effects of the car accident. Injuries from car accidents can cause permanent disability, chronic pain, temporary or permanent job loss, severe financial difficulties, and the death of loved ones who were also involved, increasing the trauma associated with the accident.
Protective Factors
Protective Factors
These factors are associated with a reduced risk for developing PTSD:
1
Support from family and friends.
Friends and family alleviate the added stress created by the accident in numerous ways. They can help with daily tasks, take over childcare, provide transportation, locate services, and offer comfort.
2
Support group participation.
Support groups offer a safe place to exchange stories with others who have also experienced trauma. Attending or accessing a support group may be easier than talking with friends and family and is especially beneficial to those without an established support network.
3
Learning to be okay with actions during the accident.
It’s human nature to second-guess actions in emergency situations, but those who accept themselves and their actions tend to have more positive outcomes.
4
Coping strategies.
Everyone has different coping mechanisms for handling crises. Those who consciously use positive coping strategies such as mindfulness activities, positive self-talk, and exercise often overcome the trauma with more success.
Treatment
TREATMENT FOR PTSD FROM CAR ACCIDENTS
The strong emotions of horror, fear, and depression are normal responses to trauma. When these emotions persist over the course of a month or longer, they could indicate the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. This is especially true if these emotions affect your relationships and day-to-day life.
Many trauma victims are reluctant to seek help because of the stigma associated with mental health disorders like PTSD. They falsely perceive the development of PTSD as a sign of weakness or believe they can power their way through the emotions. Seeking therapy for PTSD should be regarded similarly to seeking treatment for any other effect of the trauma, such as broken bones. Professional therapy provides the best outcomes for PTSD.
When seeking treatment, it’s important to select a therapist that specializes in treating PTSD. PTSD has been widely studied, and there are a variety of effective treatment modalities that have been proven effective.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an all-encompassing term that focuses on addressing the behaviors, thinking patterns, and emotional responses at the root of PTSD. It can be divided into two sub-types: cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) focuses on changing the thinking patterns that contribute to the heightened emotional responses and stress-induced behaviors that define PTSD. This therapy includes the following:
· Education about PTSD
· Assessment of symptoms
· Discussion about avoidance and other coping mechanisms
· Discussion of mortality
· Learning how to challenge thoughts and reshape beliefs
The goal of CPT is to develop balanced beliefs, which translates to healthy emotions and ultimately healthy behavioral responses.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged exposure therapy involves a gradual re-exposure to the elements of the trauma under strict conditions to reshape emotional responses and de-program triggers. It’s important for this therapy to proceed only under the supervision of an experienced therapist, as re-exposure that’s too rapid has been shown to worsen symptoms.
Prolonged exposure therapy may start with imagined or simulated exposure that’s less threatening and gradually increase as emotional responses improve. Throughout the process, the patient practices applying techniques like muscle relaxation and mental retraining as learned in cognitive processing therapy.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) focuses on changing the thinking patterns that contribute to the heightened emotional responses and stress-induced behaviors that define PTSD. This therapy includes the following:
· Education about PTSD
· Assessment of symptoms
· Discussion about avoidance and other coping mechanisms
· Discussion of mortality
· Learning how to challenge thoughts and reshape beliefs
The goal of CPT is to develop balanced beliefs, which translates to healthy emotions and ultimately healthy behavioral responses.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged exposure therapy involves a gradual re-exposure to the elements of the trauma under strict conditions to reshape emotional responses and de-program triggers. It’s important for this therapy to proceed only under the supervision of an experienced therapist, as re-exposure that’s too rapid has been shown to worsen symptoms.
Prolonged exposure therapy may start with imagined or simulated exposure that’s less threatening and gradually increase as emotional responses improve. Throughout the process, the patient practices applying techniques like muscle relaxation and mental retraining as learned in cognitive processing therapy.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) focuses on changing the thinking patterns that contribute to the heightened emotional responses and stress-induced behaviors that define PTSD. This therapy includes the following:
· Education about PTSD
· Assessment of symptoms
· Discussion about avoidance and other coping mechanisms
· Discussion of mortality
· Learning how to challenge thoughts and reshape beliefs
The goal of CPT is to develop balanced beliefs, which translates to healthy emotions and ultimately healthy behavioral responses.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
Prolonged exposure therapy involves a gradual re-exposure to the elements of the trauma under strict conditions to reshape emotional responses and de-program triggers. It’s important for this therapy to proceed only under the supervision of an experienced therapist, as re-exposure that’s too rapid has been shown to worsen symptoms.
Prolonged exposure therapy may start with imagined or simulated exposure that’s less threatening and gradually increase as emotional responses improve. Throughout the process, the patient practices applying techniques like muscle relaxation and mental retraining as learned in cognitive processing therapy.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy that involves the patient focusing on an object that is moving back and forth, such as a therapist’s finger while talking briefly about the trauma. It’s thought that the bilateral eye movements while talking about the memory help the brain form new associations with the memory and reduce its emotional impact. This therapy is widely used and more comfortable for some patients.
Supportive Psychotherapy
Supportive psychotherapy focuses on general problem-solving skills and assurance of unconditional support. Patients learn to see the car accident less severely and place it in context with other life experiences. While psychotherapy has been proven to be marginally helpful for PTSD sufferers, cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to be much more effective.
Medications
Medication is often used in conjunction with other therapies to treat PTSD. Antidepressants have shown the most promise in PTSD treatment. These medications regulate brain chemicals and impact emotions, which can help improve the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy. The need for medication may only be temporary and could be discontinued when PTSD improves.
Starting Again - while these comments refer to driving they have generic worth.
HOW TO GET BACK TO DRIVING AGAIN
Driving phobia is a common reaction to a car accident. Prolonged exposure therapy is the most effective method of alleviating these fears and getting back into the driver’s seat. This type of therapy should always be supervised by a therapist who is experienced with PTSD.
The specific steps to overcoming a driving phobia will vary per individual and the severity of the condition. As you complete each step and retrain your thoughts and responses, you can progress to the next step. The re-exposure process may look similar to the steps below:
1
Read a description of the crash aloud.
6
Gradually progress to busier areas with the other driver still present.
2
Talk about the accident experience, including your emotions and actions.
7
Drive past the crash site, with the other driver present.
3
Visit the crash site.
8
Drive in a safe area without the other driver,
4
Sit in the driver’s seat and visualize yourself driving.
9
Keep slowly progressing until you’re comfortable driving anywhere, even alone.
5
Take a short drive around the block or an abandoned parking lot. Have another driver or a driving instructor present.