Do you sometimes wonder why suddenly disturbing things that happened to you rattle you to the core? Do you often find it difficult to deal with changes that might seem insignificant to another person? If you do, then you’re probably struggling with the impact of sudden disruptions and accidents, so please read on!
Life Disruptions and Accidents are Very Common In Our Times
We live in a time when disruptions and seismic changes in our world can happen with disturbing regularity. Basically no one is immune from the changes that are occurring in our world and society the way things are. If you are among those who struggle with coping with them on a regular basis then welcome to the club! The challenge is as or much more than anything dealing with how these events affect you.
What Are Some of the Sudden Disruptions and Accidents Affecting People?
These kinds of events range all the way from getting in a serious car accident, to being caught up in a school shooting or political violence. Both of the examples I provided are potentially and perhaps inevitably traumatic, but there are other ones that can be very unsettling all the same. Sometimes people experience medical crises, or spouses’ debilitating illness, or sudden incapacity of some type. The more one is likely to dismiss them as something that is simply “unfortunate,” the more it can sneakily have an outsized influence on your mental health.
3 Ways Sudden Life Disruptions and Accidents Can Impact You
They can cause trauma: this is when they leave a lasting impression on you that continues to bother you over time.
They can re-traumatize you: this happens, particularly if the event is related somehow to a trauma that’s already been in your life for some time and is unresolved.
They can cause a feeling of helplessness: helplessness is one of the key symptoms of depression, which often goes with trauma that lurks under the surface.
How to Deal With the Impact
Once one of these disruptive events has happened in your life, it’s important to practice self-care. Self-care can take many forms, but it often involves being intentional about tending to bodily needs, especially the need for rest. Making sure you are eating well, maintaining your grooming, maintaining social contacts, and using positive coping skills is very important. One of the most valuable things you can do is deep breathing, as it helps to calm the vagal nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body and works against the effect of these kinds of events.
What if Your Psychological Impact Becomes Long-term?
If you struggle with the long-term effects (more than 6 months) of sudden life disruptions and accidents, then it is important to seek professional help. I’ve been helping my clients recover from these kinds of events for the vast majority of my clinical career. Most if not all of these can be lessened or eliminated, depending on the nature and severity of the events. I have several ways of addressing these with my clients, including EMDR, Image Transformation Therapy (ImTT), and some CBT exercises that can aid in neutralizing them. Being able to put these kinds of events in your rearview mirror can go a long way towards helping improve your life trajectory. Feel free to call the number at the top of the page, click on the schedule consultation button above, or fill out the inquiry form below, and I will get back to you ASAP to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation if you live in MD or VA so you can start to get your life back on track.
Visit our page on trauma therapy to find out more about how Scott can help you in recovering from sudden life disruptions and accidents.
About the author: Scott Kampschaefer, LCSW is a private practice therapist in Frederick, Maryland. He has an extensive background in working with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder at a clinic for older adults with these disorders in Austin, Texas. He now works with adults and adolescents 14 and up in private practice. His most recent book is titled The 5 Pillars of Addiction Recovery and is available for purchase on Amazon and in paperback on this website.