The Five Most Common Delayed Shock Symptoms After a Car Accident and How to Treat Them

Car accidents are never fun, but they can sometimes lead to delayed shock symptoms. Being in a car accident can be very jarring and stressful. It is normal for someone to feel denial, anger, sadness, or fear after being involved in an accident. They may also have difficulties sleeping or concentrating on anything else.

Shock symptoms are completely natural for this reason – your body needs time to process the event that just occurred. Here are some ways you can identify and treat these five common delayed shock symptoms after a car accident.

Common Delayed Shock Symptoms After a Car Accident

1) Numbness

Numbness in your extremities, such as your hand or foot, is common and usually doesn’t last long. People may feel this as a result of the adrenaline or shock. If numbness persists for more than two weeks, it’s a warning sign of a condition called post-traumatic neuropathy.

The most common cause of post-traumatic neuropathy is spinal injury, so if this happens to you after a car accident, you should talk to your doctor about getting a referral to a physical therapist.

The neuropathy occurs when the body’s nerves that form the connections between your muscles and your bones stop working properly. These nerves relay information to the brain through the body. If the nerves can’t transmit the messages, you will experience no feeling, weakness, and loss of coordination. This can be very frustrating and may cause additional stress. If your symptoms aren’t addressed, you may be at risk for other, long-term conditions.

2) Dizziness

The nerves that connect the brain to the eyes and brain’s vestibular system may also be affected by a car accident. This is when the “inner ear” (not the ear part) responds to motions. When your car accident triggers dizziness, you may also experience other symptoms that come with post-traumatic neuropathy.

Dizziness can also be a symptom of post-traumatic stress, as it’s caused by a drop in blood pressure and a disturbance in the brain’s circulation. You may also experience vertigo, or spinning sensations in your head. If you experience these symptoms after a car accident, talk to your doctor. They may prescribe you medicine to help you get better or refer you to a neurologist for a spinal injury assessment and examination.

3) Shakiness

Most of the time, you’ll feel a little shaky after an accident. This is a normal reaction to the shock your body feels. You may also feel nauseous or lightheaded, which can be a sign of a concussion.

However, shakiness in the limbs can also be a sign of a brain injury, which is why it is important to get checked by a doctor. Sudden uncontrollable limb spasms could indicate a traumatic brain injury. Your doctor will also take your injury and weight into account in evaluating your symptoms. If the doctor finds damage to the nerves and blood vessels in your brain, this can lead to delayed shock symptoms.

4) Persistent Headaches

Persistent headaches, especially if they’re accompanied by a ringing in the ear, can be a symptom of a concussion. When the brain is injured, the fluids move around it, which can change the pressure on the nerve inside the skull.

You may be experiencing headaches because your skull has swollen, which can press on the nerve. To avoid this, you need to have your head examined to rule out a concussion. Your doctor will also conduct a CT scan, which will reveal any damage to your skull.

5) Confusion

If you have post-traumatic stress and anxiety after a car accident, you may also be experiencing confusion. A traumatic brain injury can cause temporary or even permanent memory loss, which can lead to disorientation and personality changes. If you don’t tell your doctor about these symptoms, you may be at risk for long-term problems.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Shock and Post-Traumatic Stress?

Many symptoms of post-traumatic stress can manifest as physical symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and fatigue. However, they are separate conditions that you need to treat separately.

Post-traumatic stress can be treated with therapy, medication, and coping mechanisms. Shock is a much more physical condition. When it happens after a traumatic accident.

If you think you are having post-traumatic stress, get the help of a professional therapist right away. If you think you are experiencing shock, talk to your doctor. They may recommend medication to treat the symptoms and refer you to a therapist for diagnosis and treatment.

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