The sudden and unexpected nature of a traumatic physical injury such as accidents can leave the injured individuals with painful and life-altering experiences, impacting their physical and psychological functioning. It is so abrupt that injured individuals have no time to process their feelings about the trauma-related injury.
Instead, they have to deal with the consequences of the incident immediately. The emotional reaction associated with the traumatic injury can be multifaceted and long-term, leaving injured individuals at risk of developing mental health problems. The most common mental health problems associated with traumatic physical injury are post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Mental health problems have a societal and economic costs. It can have implications on individuals’ work, relationships, and well-being.
However, understanding the risk factors associated with mental health problems during the early stages of recovery is important. Early detection and intervention can help improve injured individuals’ personal, social, and occupational functioning, reducing the effects of traumatic physical injury on mental health.
Risk factors
1: Biological
- sex
- genetics
- family history of psychological problems
- nature, cause, or severity of the injury
- heart rate
- high levels of pain
Psychological
- previous history of mental disorders
- personality characteristics
- coping styles
Social
- social support
- socioeconomic status
- social humiliation
- financial constraints
Considering these risk factors is essential in helping traumatically injured individuals intervene early and promote better mental health outcomes. For instance, strengthening available social support or highlighting effective coping styles of injured individuals can mitigate the effects of these risk factors.
Early psychological interventions can prevent the development of symptoms of mental health problems. Screening for vulnerability, reassessing high-risk individuals, and providing interventions can help minimize escalating the effects of mental health problems.
Steps in early intervention
- Screen risk or vulnerability factors for poor psychological adjustment following an injury
Screen for risk factors after an injury or during the rehabilitation process to check for possible factors that make injured individuals vulnerable to mental health issues. Looking out for symptoms or predictors of mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression can alleviate the escalation of serious psychological issues. Early detection of vulnerability can help assist in the re-appraisal of a traumatic event, increase social support, or enhance communication.
- Re-assess those screened as high risk at a later point in time
Conduct follow-up to individuals classified as at risk during the screening process to minimize additional costs or effects of mental health problems. High-risk individuals are encouraged to undergo further interventions to reduce the development of other symptoms.
- Provide early intervention
Incorporate the gathered assessment after the screening into the treatment goals to assist injured individuals in their recovery process. A sample intervention is a psychotherapy using cognitive-behavioral approaches. This approach usually includes anxiety management, breathing retraining, psycho-education, guided imagery, or in vivo exposure.
As part of the rehabilitation process, health care professionals are significant key players in helping individuals deal with the aftermaths of a traumatic injury; however, the initiative and willingness of the individuals themselves are more important in facilitating changes.
It is important to increase awareness and knowledge about the potential risks and vulnerabilities of traumatically injured individuals to reduce the effects of mental health problems. In doing so, it is essential to implement regular screening procedures at the acute recovery phase to align them with the goals of the rehabilitation program and improve their life situation.
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