Following a motor vehicle accident, individuals involved could suffer serious injuries. While those injuries are sometimes physical, they can be psychological as well. In many situations before too long the physical injuries heal with little or no side effects. The same cannot always be said of psychological injuries however.
Following a motor vehicle accident, individuals involved could suffer serious injuries. While those injuries are sometimes physical, they can be psychological as well. In many situations before too long the physical injuries heal with little or no side effects. The same cannot always be said of psychological injuries however.
Individuals who suffered a traumatic event could find that they are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. According to one statistic, one in five individuals who have been involved in a serious car crash face this reality.
Those who suffer from PTSD could face multiple symptoms including:
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nightmares and difficulty sleeping
- Flashbacks to the traumatic event
These symptoms can be debilitating and greatly impact the quality of life for the person facing them. A study recently conducted uncovered an interesting approach in reducing the number of flashbacks suffered by some individuals.
Readers of a certain age may remember playing Tetris on a Nintendo Game Boy or other platforms. According to researchers at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, playing that game could keep intrusive memories of traumatizing incidents at bay.
Photo by Rich Slim via CC BY 2.0
The study, the results of which were published in Psychological Science, involved 56 individuals who watched video footage showing events considered distressing. Following the viewing, half of the group did nothing, while the remaining group played Tetris for 12 minutes. Over the course of the following week, all participants kept a diary of intrusive memories of the videos they watched.
Those who played Tetris after viewing the videos seemed to experience a “cognitive blockage” which resulted in a weakening of the visual component of a memory that is traumatic. As compared to the control group, they reported experiencing 51 percent fewer intrusive memories.
Going forward, in an effort to help keep PTSD in check, it is possible that individuals involved in car accidents could find that they are playing Tetris, or similar games, in emergency rooms as a part of their treatment. The study’s lead researcher indicated that her team is already testing that approach.
