As if being involved in a car accident is not enough on its own, the effects stemming from the crash can be long lasting and extend far beyond damage to your vehicle or sustaining physical injuries. More specifically, it is not uncommon for victims of car accidents to experience a detrimental effect on their mental health. Many car accident victims develop certain medical disorders and/or conditions, including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”), in response to being involved in such a traumatic experience. Being restored to your pre-injury physical and psychological health should always remain the number one goal of individuals involved in car accidents. As such, it is just as important to seek and obtain psychological treatment as it is medical treatment, following a car accident.
What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as “PTSD,” is medically defined as a psychiatric disorder characterized by an acute emotional response to a traumatic event or situation involving severe environmental stress, such as a natural disaster, airplane crash, or serious automobile accident, military combat, or physical torture. The term PTSD has strong ties to the military community as it was research with combat veterans that helped to create the mental health diagnosis in 1980.
PTSD Symptoms
According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Center for PTSD, there are four different types of symptoms largely associated with PTSD. Those symptoms include:
1. Reliving the traumatic event (also called re-experiencing);
2. Avoiding situations that are reminders of the event;
3. Affected cognition and mood; and
4. Feeling “keyed up” (also called hyperarousal or over-reactive to situations).
Because most people will experience some or all of these symptoms following a traumatic event, PTSD is generally not diagnosed unless all symptoms last for at least one month and cause significant distress or problems with functioning daily. Additionally, in some cases, PTSD symptoms may not present themselves until months or even years following the traumatic event.
Re-experiencing the Event
This symptom includes certain things such as: (1) experiencing flashbacks (reliving the traumatic event, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating); (2) recurring memories or dreams related to the traumatic event; (3) distressing thoughts; and/or (4) physical signs of stress. The re-experiencing symptom can be triggered by a host of various things including words, objects, or events/situations that remind the person of the traumatic event.
Avoidance
Individuals experiencing avoidance symptoms often change or modify their normal routine in order to stay away from places, events, or objects that may remind the person of the traumatic event. The person may also avoid all thoughts or feelings related to the event as well. An example of avoidance can be refusing to drive or ride in a car after being involved in a serious car accident.
Cognition and Mood
Cognition and mood symptoms can largely resemble the same symptoms a person would experience as the result of suffering from depression. Those symptoms can include certain events such as: (1) difficulty remembering key facts of the traumatic event; (2) having a negative outlook or thoughts about yourself or the world around you; (3) an over exaggeration of self-blame or blame towards others; (4) experiencing constant negative emotions such as fear, anger, guilt, or shame; (5) losing interest in activities one previously participated in; (6) feelings of or actual isolation from others/society; and (6) difficulty experiencing positive emotions such as feelings of satisfaction or happiness.
Hyperarousal
Within the hyperarousal category is an exaggerated reaction to situations that may not require such a response. When people suffer from hyperarousal symptoms, they constantly exhibit certain characteristics including: (1) being easily frightened or startled; (2) a constant on-edge, tense, or on-guard feeling; (3) difficulty focusing or concentrating; (4) trouble falling and/or staying asleep at night; (5) increased irritability or exacerbated anger/aggression (including aggressive outbursts); and (6) engaging in reckless, destructive, or risky behavior(s).
Of an important note is the fact that PTSD is not limited solely to adults and older teenagers. Young children can suffer from PTSD as well. Generally, their symptoms are different from those of adults largely due to their age. Those symptoms can include: (1) bedwetting; (2) forgetting how or being unable to talk; (3) mimicking or acting out the traumatic event; and/or (4) being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult.
Treating Individuals Suffering from PTSD
If you are suffering from or experiencing PTSD symptoms following a car accident, it may be extremely helpful to seek the assistance of a mental health professional who has the experience and expertise to help treat individuals suffering from PTSD. Oftentimes this particular treatment includes some sort of therapy, medication, or a combination of both. The suggested course of treatment is normally catered for each specific individual, as opposed to being “one size fits all,” because what works for one person may be different from another.
Compensation in Personal Injury Cases
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with PTSD as the result of a personal injury or car accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation by pursuing a personal injury claim. Your financial recovery can be for both economic damages (e.g., medical bills) and non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering). When evaluating damages, an insurance adjuster will likely analyze a host of things including, but not limited to: (1) notes, comments, and remarks contained within medical records; (2) the length of necessary medical treatment, including therapy; (3) the severity of the injury; (4) the extent of the detrimental effect on the person’s everyday life; and (5) the total amount of medical bills and expenses incurred as a result of the injury. Even with financial assistance from health insurance, medical expenses associated with therapy and medication may seem insurmountable, adding to the stressors already present.
Having a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney helping you through the process can be essential in ensuring maximum physical and financial recovery.
Call The Swanson Law Firm Today to Get Started!
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with PTSD as the result of a personal injury, call The Swanson Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.
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