Dear Therapist:

I was involved in a car accident 2 months ago. Although I fractured my arm I am BH ok. The driver of the other car was more seriously hurt and needed surgery. My friends tell me I am “traumatized” and that I talk about the accident too much. I think it's normal to be shaken up by going through such an experience. I do have trouble falling asleep at night but I don't know that it's related to the accident. Am I traumatized? Do I need professional help?

Response:

I think that most people would classify your accident as a traumatic event.  People experience and react to trauma differently.  Although some people having gone through the same experience might mentally shrug it off, most would feel at least a degree of nervousness or fear and might replay the event in their heads.  In addition, some people having a normal reaction to an event deal with it by talking about it with others, while other people prefer to deal with it alone.  In general, some people are more open and forthcoming than others.  In fact, it’s quite likely that the support of your family and friends will help you to move on more quickly and easily.

There are two factors that can give you a sense as to whether you have a problem (and neither one involves someone else’s opinion of what a “normal” reaction should be).  One factor is the severity of the emotional response; the other factor is the progression of the emotional response.  If you felt shocked and shaken up shortly after your accident and had significant trouble falling asleep but these problems continue to progressively dwindle over time, you likely have nothing to worry about.  On the other hand, if you have felt highly anxious for an extended period of time or the problems don’t seem to be decreasing, you should probably seek help.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that can have long-lasting effects.  Symptoms include reliving the event, avoiding similar situations, and excessive emotion (like anger, irritability, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, and startling easily).  Early treatment can significantly decrease or even eliminate feelings these along with feelings of guilt, helplessness and fear.  If you, or someone you know, has symptoms of PTSD, psychotherapy and/or medication can be a source of significant relief.

-Yehuda Lieberman, LCSW

  psychotherapist in private practice

 Brooklyn, NY

 author of Self-Esteem: A Primer

 www.ylcsw.com / 718-258-5317

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