Dealing with injuries: speeding up your recovery after an accident

Becoming injured is a serious problem. Unfortunately, it is also a relatively common one. Nobody wants to be hurt, and it’s natural that you’d try your best to stay safe and protect yourself from anything that could harm you. However, this is sometimes easier said than done, and accidents can occur. If you’ve been through such an unfortunate situation, you’d understandably be upset. Accidents are often quite destructive, and it’s not uncommon for you to struggle on the path to recovery.

Since you’ll have to postpone any essential plans you have, it can also feel like an upheaval of your whole life. You might be left with chronic damage in the aftermath of an accident, meaning that your entire life will change, and you’ll need to adjust to a new lifestyle and routine. Having such drastic changes essentially forced upon you is likely to take its toll on your mental health and quality of life, and it can leave you feeling despondent and frustrated.

However, just because you’ve had the misfortune to be injured doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to being in pain and struggling with an uncomfortable condition for the rest of your life. In fact, recovery is not only possible but desirable. Following a treatment scheme and getting physical therapy can help you recover your health and get back to your life before the accident. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Get help

If you were the victim of an accident, the first and most important thing you need to do is receive medical attention immediately. If your injuries are rather severe, you’ll most likely seek medical help right away. However, if you see no external signs of damage, it’s possible that you’ll be lured into a false sense of security. Even if you managed to come out seemingly unscathed from an accident, getting a doctor’s opinion on your condition is still a good idea. Some injuries are not immediately visible, and severe conditions, such as internal bleeding, might not exhibit any symptoms until the situation becomes critical.

When you talk to a doctor, you’ll also be provided with a comprehensive treatment scheme that enables you to regain your health as quickly as possible. It’s essential that you refrain from self-medicating. In the case the current medication doesn’t work as expected or causes unpleasant side effects, your physician can prescribe a different treatment scheme.

You should also talk to a physiotherapist and a psychologist. In the case of the former, you might need additional therapy to get back your complete motor control. Prolonged periods of bed rest can leave your muscles and joints feeling stiff, so you might need extra therapy to help you get your mobility back. Accidents can also have a hugely detrimental effect on your emotional health. If you feel stuck and like you can’t leave the trauma of the event behind, a psychologist will likely be able to help.

Be realistic

Recovery is different for everyone. You might know a similar case, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be completely healed in the same amount of time as the other person was. You might be battling strong emotional responses, such as guilt, anger or fear, or you might not. There’s no right or wrong response, and your recovery period will be largely dependent on the intensity of your physical and psychological wounds.

It’s essential to set realistic expectations for your body and recovery. While 70% of people are back to work within eight weeks after a car crash, you don’t have to rush yourself if you believe your full recovery will last longer. Resuming work before you’re fully healed only means that you won’t be able to perform your usual tasks as well. Seeing your productivity levels drop won’t do you any favours, and it might even cause your mental and emotional recovery to stagnate.

If you believe that your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence and you would like to be recompensed for your injuries, you can file a legal claim. Use a compensation calculator to get a better idea of the sum you’re eligible to receive. The final amount you can receive in compensation depends on the site of your injuries and their severity. So, for example, a moderate hand injury can bring you anywhere between £13,740 and £24,990, while severe knee damage can receive compensation between £52,120 and £69,730. If you’ve suffered financial losses, either in the form of loss of earnings or through the travelling and medication associated with recovery, the compensation you receive might be substantially larger.

Warning signs

While accident responses differ, you must look for warning signs that signal your progress stagnates or falls short. These can include:

• An inability to return to your daily activities even after treatment has finished.
• Noticing that your close relationships are suffering. If you feel like you can’t connect with friends or relatives anymore, it can be a sign that something is wrong.
• Withdrawing from activities and hobbies you used to enjoy in the past.
• Feeling unable to cope with intense feelings or reactions. If you get overwhelmed much easier than you used to in the past, you need to discuss it with your doctor.
• If you observe that your reactions tend to become disproportionate, and situations and events that didn’t bother you in the past now cause significant emotional strain, it is likely the result of the trauma of being through an accident.
• Disturbed sleep, nightmares, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, low mood or depression are all common markers of an unresolved traumatic event.
• Nausea, headaches, tiredness or restlessness are some of the most common physical symptoms you might struggle with after an accident.

The recovery process takes a while. If you have any cause for concern or are worried that your healing is taking an unusually long amount of time, don’t hesitate to take it up with your physician. Professional help will help you recover faster and more efficiently. Having a strong support network in your personal life will also work to your advantage.