Managing the long-term impact of sudden injuries
Published on August 24th, 2018 by Eric Slepian
Any type of serious medical condition has the potential to dramatically change a person’s life, from his or her mobility to cognitive functioning. It can be particularly troubling when a severe condition comes without warning; people must make instant adjustments and decisions they might not have ever anticipated.
This is often the case after serious car accidents, falls or physical attacks. In seemingly the blink of an eye, a person’s life and abilities can change, and it can be critical to know how to respond.
Focus on medical care
It is obvious that after any serious accident, getting medical attention will be a top priority. This is especially true in cases of brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, burns, severe lacerations and other types of severe injuries.
However, medical care doesn’t stop after the immediate issues have been addressed. Ongoing care will be crucial, as will rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Don’t forget about self-care
Treating the medical issues resulting from a severe accident is crucial, but so is practicing self-care.
Self-care involves helping people take care of their emotional and mental well-being, which can be quite fragile after a severe injury. As this article notes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and major depression can follow severe accidents like car crashes. As such, activities like doctor-approved exercise, meditation and engaging in enjoyable activities when possible can be crucial in helping a person cope mentally after an accident.
Ask for help
No one recovers from a severe accident alone; there are countless resources in place for people in this difficult position, and it can be critical to take advantage of them. This can include attorneys to help you pursue disability benefits for which you may be eligible, nurses to help you in the hospital and neighbors who can take care of your lawn or pick up your mail.
Asking for help when you or a loved one needs it allows people to focus on maximizing recovery efforts.
Unfortunately, there is no specific road map to recovery after a catastrophic accident. But with diligent medical attention, self-care and the help of others, injured parties and their families may find it a little easier to navigate this difficult time.
