Losing a loved one unexpectedly is one of the most difficult things that you can go through. At first, you may experience a deep sense of denial due to the shock, and you may simply feel that you are unable to process and come to terms with what has happened. It’s very important that you have a network of support during this time, whether it is close friends and loved ones or therapists and medical professionals.
Certain severe events like this can have the potential to be traumatic. Mental trauma is highly subjective, and it is the way that an event is interpreted and experienced by an individual that determines whether it causes trauma or not. If you are feeling grief and trauma after a loved one was suddenly taken from you in a car accident, the following are some ways to deal with the most common symptoms.
You may try to blame yourself
In times of grief, we want to try to make sense of things. Instead of simply accepting that an event was a tragic accident that could have never been prevented, we may try to falsely attribute blame onto ourselves so that we can have some sense of closure. By wrongly convincing ourselves that we are to blame for the accident, it can serve to tie up to endless questions about what happened. However, this can lead to misplaced guilt, which can cause depression and anxiety. Speaking to a therapist about the feelings you have can help to rationalize your thoughts.
You may engage in avoidant behaviors
When you don’t want to be reminded of the event, you may start to engage in avoidant behaviors, such as avoiding getting into a car or doing anything that reminds you of your loved one. This can inhibit your freedom and lead to phobias, so it is important that you challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone.
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, one way to get closure is to hold the at-fault party liable. This may help you to do something positive in your loved one’s honor and make the roads safer for others.