A few years ago, I was in a serious car crash when the taxi in which I was a passenger was smashed into by an enormous tractor-trailer. When I came to, covered in glass, the ambulance medics were peering through the shattered window of our wrecked car on the opposite side of the highway, as we had spun from one side of the road to the other after the impact. The accident was a profoundly terrifying experience.

In line with the old proverb that asks if the shoemaker’s children ever go barefoot, what happens when a trauma psychologist experiences a trauma? As I climbed out of the wreck into the freezing winter air, I started to think about how I could apply over a decade of study on the topics of trauma, , protective factors, and to myself.

Source: Alana Siegel, Psy.D.

Relieved when my shattered cell phone worked, my first call was to my family. My parents helped me get in touch with a doctor so a neurologist could ascertain if I would need follow-up treatment. The doctor warned of the potential symptoms of a , and she helped me understand what side effects (soreness, whiplash, exhaustion) I would likely face in the coming days.

In the hours after the accident, I started to create a trauma narrative in order to begin to make sense out of what I had just experienced. I thought through everything that I could remember and did my best to piece together a cohesive timeline so I could understand the sequence of events. For example, I reflected on how I had been sitting on the right side of the car, whereas if I had been behind the driver I would have been paralyzed or killed. I considered my good fortune that no cars were coming in the opposite direction as we spun across the highway lanes. In the coming days and weeks, I refined my narrative, which further helped me gain a sense of control over an overwhelming scare.

As soon as I got home, I called in sick from work and spent several days in bed with a heating pad. Although I had a dynamic weekend planned, I knew giving myself space for self-care was paramount. I had read many times about the importance of listening to one's body, so when I felt tired, I slept. I took Advil, had several hot showers a day, watched movies, and overall gave myself space to relax and heal. In the moments where I felt panicked, thinking of my close call, I used techniques, such as breathing and exercises to enhance a feeling of calmness.

In the days after the accident, I relied on friends and family for social support. I called loved ones to tell them what had occurred, and the repetition of the trauma narrative helped me to process my experience. Having their love and support also decreased any feelings of and isolation.

I scheduled a meeting with my therapist. As is known to be a key protective factor in the aftermath of a trauma, I wanted to have a safe space where I could process what I had just experienced. Together, we reviewed symptoms that I was experiencing, the events of the accident, and made a plan for navigating the days ahead.

Once I felt prepared to walk around again, I went to a place of worship and said a prayer. I found the framework of religion provided a sense of comfort during a time that I was feeling vulnerable.

In the weeks after the accident, I returned to exercising. The endorphins released through sport were helpful during the times that I felt distressed, thinking about what-could-have-been.

Given what I have learned about , I have spent the time since the accident reflecting on how I grew as a result of my experience, and focusing on feelings of . For instance, I developed a newfound appreciation for my legs’ functioning and for having an unbroken back. I also realized that wearing a seatbelt had saved my life, and I vowed to wear my seatbelt in the future. I felt intense gratefulness for being alive and uninjured, and I also experienced a new sense of focus for my life .

While there are still moments in which I have flashbacks of the accident, I do believe that using my years of training on myself was very helpful. There is no cure-all in the aftermath of a event, and I acknowledge that the strategies that I employed might not work for everyone. Yet the coping skills that I had previously learned about in academic and clinical settings served to carry me through the difficult aftermath when personally confronting a trauma.