A serious collision can cause not just physical injuries but a ride range of emotional and psychological effects. They’re not always immediately apparent if a person and their family are focused on whether they’ll fully recover physically. However, a person’s mental health struggles can continue long after their body is on the road to healing.
Not everyone suffers psychological issues after a collision. It depends in part on how their brain is wired as well as whether they’ve suffered previous traumas or have a history of anxiety, depression, panic attacks and phobias. These things are often more relevant than how serious the crash was. For example, some crash victims suffer from a phobia that most people have never heard of – but one that can prevent crash survivors from getting back to their “normal” life. It’s called amaxophobia.
What is amaxophobia?
Amaxophobia is the fear of being in a vehicle. In some people, it manifests primarily as a fear of driving again. Others may be unable to even be a passenger. Some people can’t even ride on public transportation.
This phobia may be difficult to diagnose at first. That’s because it’s only natural that someone who’s been in a crash may feel some anxiety before getting behind the wheel again or even getting in a car. However, if someone experiences shaking, sweating, nausea and heart racing when they get in a car or even in anticipation of riding in a vehicle, these could well be signs of amaxophobia.
Why treatment may be necessary
The sooner a crash survivor sees a mental health professional, the better their chances are of overcoming this phobia or dealing with whatever psychological issues they may be suffering after a crash. Some people even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s not at all unusual for people to start therapy for the time in their lives after being involved in a collision.
Mental health treatment after a crash can be almost as necessary as medical treatment for the physical body. Amaxophobia, if untreated, can prevent someone from being able to go to work, take their kids to school or run simple but necessary errands. It is, therefore, important that the cost of this treatment is factored into a settlement with an at-fault driver or their insurer whenever appropriate. Having experienced legal guidance can help people get the compensation they need for these and other expenses and damages in the wake of a crash that wasn’t – or was only partially – their fault.