[Health Tip] How to Recover from ‘Psychological Trauma’ After a Traffic Accident

Traffic accident. No direct relation to the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Traffic accidents pose a threat to life. Even if one is not directly involved in an accident, experiencing shock when a family member or acquaintance is affected can lead to psychological trauma. Although statistics on fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents are published annually, the invisible psychological trauma is not accounted for.

One disorder that may appear in patients experiencing psychological trauma is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After an accident, some people are unable to drive, refuse to sit in the front passenger seat, and instead sit in the back seat with their eyes tightly closed, trying to suppress anxiety. They may be startled by even small noises, have difficulty sleeping, feel no joy in anything, and continuously experience dreams about the traffic accident or wake up startled. Professor Jeong Seon-yong of the Department of Korean Neuropsychiatry at Gangdong Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital explained, “PTSD caused by traffic accidents can be considered a significant impairment in daily life due to psychological trauma, even if there is no physical injury.”

He added, “It is important to recognize that the incident is over and that the current place and situation are safe. Treatment should be conducted through cognitive behavioral therapy or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), which is registered as a new medical technology in Korean medicine.”

Emotional Freedom Techniques involve focusing on the painful memories or emotions, then tapping acupuncture points on the body with fingers to activate meridian functions, which helps the individual to accept and process those memories or emotions anew. Meridian functions affect not only the body but also the mind. Through acceptance affirmations that acknowledge the current state as it is and tapping to activate meridian functions, this technique helps individuals accept and process the pain caused by the incident, breaking free from repetitive replaying of the trauma.

Professor Jeong stated, “Currently, Emotional Freedom Techniques are also introduced in the Korean medicine clinical manual for disaster trauma. Due to the nature of PTSD, symptoms can suddenly worsen anytime and anywhere, so EFT, which can be self-administered without side effects regardless of time or place, is very helpful.”

Junsun Yong, Professor, Department of Korean Medicine Neuropsychiatry, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital

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