By Ela Matters Staff 
Houston, Texas, is home to over 2.3 million people, making it the fourth most populous city in the nation. The city is also one of the biggest industrial hubs in the country. With many manufacturing companies rooted here, the city is sure to have a lot of big trucks around.
Though the whole country relies on trucks, the dangers we face are also severe. Truck accidents don’t just cause wrecked vehicles and traffic delays; they leave behind psychological bruises that last much longer after the site is cleaned up.
Physical injury will heal with medical care, but emotional and psychological wounds can take months or years to heal. If you or a loved one is faced with such distress, consulting a well-regarded truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX, can help you understand your rights and what sort of compensation you can receive.
But first, you need to be aware of these psychological effects, which is a big step toward a full recovery after such a life-changing event.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is one of the most common mental health effects of a serious trucking crash. Victims may have nightmares, flashbacks, or severe anxiety when reminded of the crash. These symptoms may become so severe that ordinary tasks, like driving or even riding as a passenger, can become intimidating.
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
The majority of survivors experience heightened anxiety, especially around vehicles or traffic. Some develop sudden panic attacks with symptoms such as shortness of breath, pounding heart, and dizziness. This anxiety can disrupt work, travel, and even personal relationships.
Depression and Emotional Numbness
Loss of mobility, financial strain, or inability to return to a normal routine may lead to depression. Depression may even lead to suicidal thoughts in extreme cases.
Sleep Disturbances
Sleep difficulty and nightmares are typical for accident survivors. Disrupted sleep also worsens mental illness, delays the process of physical healing, and increases emotional tension.
Survivor’s Guilt
If a truck crash kills or seriously harms other individuals, survivors tend to feel guilty at having survived. Such guilt can cause tremendous psychological distress and complicate their recovery from their own trauma.
Anger and Irritability
Other victims report uncontrollable anger against the trucking company, the driver, or even themselves. This leads to strained relationships and even emotional problems.
Avoidance Behaviors
To cope with distress, a few survivors avoid highways, certain locations, or even talking about the crash. While it may offer temporary relief, it could limit autonomy and interfere with long-term recovery.
Social Isolation
The interaction between physical trauma, emotional distress, and anxiety can cause victims to withdraw from friends and family. Isolation aggravates mental illness to the point that only outside intervention can prevent the cycle.
Final Thoughts
The increasing healthcare costs, therapy, and loss of income after a truck accident can total enormous economic losses. The stress is sure to prolong existing trauma, trigger anxiety disorders, and lower the ability of the victims to focus on rehabilitation. It usually leads to a lengthy psychological and emotional distress cycle.