An accident can mess with life in a way that’s hard to explain to people who haven’t been through it. Sure, everyone knows about the anxiety bit, but that’s not the only aspect here. It’s not only the physical recovery, but it’s the weird little moments that hit out of nowhere. Again, unless you’ve been in a bad accident, you might not understand this. Some people may struggle to recognize themselves in the mirror, to a degree at least.
It’s not too uncommon for confidence to take a big hit as well. Sometimes it’s vanity, sometimes not, the body may not work as it used to or certain things may feel unfamiliar, you get the idea. And then on top of that, there’s usually paperwork, appointments, check-ins, and everyone asking how things are going, like there’s a neat progress bar for recovery.
Feeling like yourself again usually isn’t one big breakthrough, it often comes in waves. Seemingly small, daily choices that slowly bring normal life back, and it’s giving yourself permission to care about what changed without feeling guilty about it.
Start with the Things that Affect Daily Confidence
Some changes affect confidence in an everyday, in-your-face way. A broken nose for example, or bruising, major damage like that of course. Sometimes it’s a bit more subtle, like tooth damage. Actually, tooth damage is a big one because it impacts talking, eating, smiling, laughing, all the normal stuff.
It’s hard to relax, or even feel like yourself when there’s a constant reminder every time you speak or order food. Since tooth (and teeth) damage overall is pretty common, it could help to look at options. For people who have lost a tooth during an accident (especially common in car accidents), they may look into a San Francisco Dental Implant Center for help, even chipped teeth can get fixed.
Visible Changes Can Feel Like a “Before And After” Marker
Which is honestly horrifying if you think about it. Scars can be emotional in a way people don’t always understand. Sometimes it’s not even about what other people think; it’s about how the scar feels like a permanent “before and after” stamp on your body. Unlike bruises and small scratches, scars stay for life. Yes, they heal, but the scar remains. For many, it can be an uncomfortable reminder of the trauma.
Some people want to hide scars from accidents, some want to fade them, and some want to reach a place where they don’t care. Any of these can be valid, and it doesn’t need to turn into a big lecture about confidence. These days, there are laser treatments available, as well as top-notch dermatologists.
The Mental Health Side
This part gets brushed off a lot, and it shouldn’t. Of all things discussed here, mental health especially should not! Accident recovery can come with anxiety, irritability, sadness, sleep issues, or that edgy feeling like the body is waiting for something bad to happen again. The list could go on and on here and eventually, these mental aspects could show up physically. Therapy, either in-person or online, can go a long way towards healing from your trauma.
Photo by Jonathan Borba
