Leading Accident-Related Trauma Treatment Center

Stress and trauma reactions to car accidents are one of the least understood and under-treated types of trauma. As more cars are on the road, car accidents are increasing. More than 10 million motor vehicle accidents happen each year; over 6 million people are injured or killed in car accidents each year. Some people who have been severely injured in a serious auto accident meet criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder as do many who witness a serious car accident and see people seriously injured or killed. While most people do not go on to develop PTSD after experiencing or witnessing a motor vehicle accident, some do. The reason that some develop PTSD while other do not is currently unknown.

In addition to driving-related fears following an accident or witnessing a car accident, some people experience characteristic PTSD symptoms, including:

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Emotional outbursts
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Depression
• Survivor’s guilt
• Self-blame
• Shame
• Self-harming behaviors
• Thoughts of suicide
• Homicidal thoughts
• Self-blame

Cognitive Symptoms:

• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
• Memory Problems
• Trouble making decisions
• Feeling slowed down or fatigued

Physical Symptoms:

• Chronic pain
• Weight gain or loss
• Insomnia or excess sleep

A person who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic car accident should first visit their physician or emergency room for treatment of injuries and then begin to see a therapist if they notice they’re not getting over symptoms of trauma. After witnessing or living through a car accident, the fear of driving can become a phobia and may cause a person to stop driving, which can affect a person’s ability to fulfill daily responsibilities and engage in other activities. Additionally, this fear may progress to other areas, such as fear of being a passenger or fear of using public transportation, leading to increasing amount of time spent alone. Avoiding activities related to driving leads to a reduction of symptoms and reinforces the phobia. This can, if left untreated, lead to agoraphobia. Both those who witnessed and those who lived through the trauma of an automobile accident will likely experience worsening symptoms over time without treatment.

Our rehab’s clinicians are all trauma-certified and experienced in numerous types of trauma related therapeutic approaches. We understand how difficult dealing with accident-related trauma can be, which is why our treatment center takes such pains to provide individualized treatment. We have treated many individuals with accident-related trauma and are aware of the incredible suffering you may feel. Our approach is one of compassionate caring; we will never minimize, invalidate, or judge your experiences. Hope and support are two critical facets of out treatment methods and when you come to our nationally recognized PTSD treatment center, you become part of our family.

When you come to our auto-accident related trauma treatment center for help, you’ll undergo a series of evaluations to allow us to best understand the ways in which auto-accident related trauma is impacting your life. Our medical evaluation will determine if you’re self-medicating with drugs or alcohol and if you’re struggling with any medical complications of your PTSD. Our psychiatric evaluation will let us determine the severity of your symptoms and the presence of any co-occurring disorders. You’ll then sit down with your treatment center team to create a plan of care for your stay with us that meets all your need – mind, body, and soul. We know that you’re more than a constellation of symptoms and we’re ready to help you on your journey toward recovery. We believe in a strengths-based approach, drawing on your strengths to help you heal.

Treatment approaches for accident-related trauma may include:

Interpersonal therapy (IPT): focuses on social relationships and re-establishing normal roles in life such as re-engaging with others, participating in social activities, and functioning normally in your previously established roles. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) at our rehab center helps you restructure maladaptive thoughts related to your accident and replace them with accurate thoughts. Dialectic behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on validating your experiences, stabilizing your emotions, and teaching you to cope with constant stress.

Intensive family therapy – Family Week: families and loved ones are crucial in supporting you as you learn to adjust to your accident and symptoms. Family members may need to deal with their own issues related to your accident. The ability to share these emotions at our residential treatment center with those you are closest too is a very powerful technique for support.

We are a holistic rehab center and we believe in using numerous methods of best in class treatments, including:

• Creative expression
• Dramatic experiencing
• Art therapy
• Sharing
• Journaling

As your time with us draws to a close, you’ll work closely with our discharge team to create a plan of care for your continued healing. Some people may desire an outpatient setting with a high level of structure. Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) may be the best choice for meeting this need.

Some individuals may feel they’ve made enough progress to continue the healing process on a regular outpatient basis. Our rehab center team will help you set up a schedule with providers who specialize in treating auto-accident related trauma.