Group CBT can help restore mental health after a car accident

Research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health aims to develop a group therapy programme that can be used by psychologists to treat the thousands of people every year who develop PTSD after traumatic car accidents.

"Group therapy makes sense for a lot of PTSD patients," says psychologist Beck - a director of the Motor Vehicle Accident Clinic.

The disorder often leaves a person feeling isolated and misunderstood, so it's helpful to be in a room of other people who have the same kinds of feelings.

Second, in a group setting patients can be more effective than a therapist in encouraging one another to 'do their homework' and take important steps towards improvement.

Many people who have experienced car accidents feel unable to drive for years after the road traffic accident. Depression, anger and anxiety are common symptoms of PTSD, along with avoidance behaviours and general panic disorder. Hyper-arousal and looking out for potential trauma or life-threatening problems is also common and can be linked to anxieties about what has been experienced: a near-fatal accident.

PTSD following a car accident is currently underdiagnosed in the UK, and whiplash receives more attention. Despite this fact, a car accident can result in compound neurological and emotional problems that can affect somebody psychologically and cause extreme difficulties in maintaining a normal life.

Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is available on the NHS, it can take some time to work through the referral system to get an appointment. Cultural attitudes to accidents, including a "just get over it" dismissal, can have a negative impact on people who have suffered a car accident by refusing to acknowledge their feelings and the severity of their emotional trauma.

Drivers who have had a car accident and who have not had time to process any emotional fallout will usually find that it crops up somewhere else in their life, usually when they least expect it and when they most need everything to operate normally. Therapists are therefore calling out for all those with the insight to realise they are feeling emotionally unbalanced to consider CBT to unlock hidden trauma.

While using the services of a no win, no fee solicitor to obtain personal injury compensation following a car accident will not take away the pain of the experience it can certainly help a person overcome significant hurdles along their road to recovery.

Car accident compensation claim
Anybody can get involved in a car accident at any time, even a perfect driver. The consequences can be traumatic. Even if you get another car, have the confidence to get back on the road and manage to progress your life effectively again, you may find that you need treatment for your personal injuries and emotional trauma.

If you've been hurt in a car accident that wasn't your fault, YouClaim could help you make a personal injury compensation claim.

Our panel of expert personal injury solicitors are car accident claim specialists and they won't take a single penny of any compensation you're awarded.

In fact, the whole accident claims process is totally free and you won't be charged a thing at any time.

We have an outstanding success rate and can give you free legal advice. To find out whether you are entitled to make a claim, request a call back at a time convenient to you, fill out an online claims form, speak with one of our team using e-chat or pick up the phone and give us a call today on 0800 10 757 95.