A car accident is a traumatic experience that can have enduring effects. In addition to physical injury and property damage, accidents can leave the victims with lingering stress and trauma. Many who have been involved in a collision suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and should receive the treatment they need right away.
Traffic accidents have become the leading cause of PTSD in the United States,1 and It is estimated2 that 9 percent of survivors of serious auto accidents develop PTSD symptoms.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can follow a traumatic event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or threat to the physical integrity of oneself or others.
Common Symptoms:
While PTSD can manifest itself differently in each individual, common symptoms include:
- Severe anxiety
- Re-experiencing the trauma
- Emotional outbursts
- Self-blame
- Fatigue / insomnia
- Memory issues
- Difficulty concentrating / confusion
- Weight gain or loss
Symptoms may be more severe if the accident resulted in a death, even where the survivor was not responsible for the accident. PTSD symptoms may not develop right away, and can be delayed for many months after the triggering event. You should seek treatment as soon as you start developing symptoms.
PTSD Can Affect Your Ability to Work
When people think about the kinds of injuries that could potentially keep them out of work, they tend to image physical injuries that limit their mobility or require that they rest for a significant period of time. It is important to understand that PTSD can make it difficult to concentrate and focus on work, potentially resulting in poor workplace performance. In addition, PTSD can affect your interpersonal relationships at work, which can cause significant problems as well.
Seeking Treatment
There are a number of treatment options for those suffering from PTSD after an auto accident. Common treatment options include: behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy and medication. These treatments work best when combined with treatment for physical injuries, including and chronic or lingering pain. A holistic approach to treatment helps to ensure a complete and prompt recovery.
Call a Clearwater Personal Injury Attorney Today to Discuss Your Case
PTSD has the potential to have a significant and negative impact on nearly every aspect of your life. Just because you cannot “see” PTSD does not mean that it a serious injury worthy of compensation. The attorneys of the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA are dedicated to helping people who have suffered emotional injuries recover compensation and work hard to ensure that each client we represent obtains the full and fair value of their claim. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA today at 727-451-6900 or send us an email through our online contact form.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 451-6900
1 https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0801/p524.html
2 https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/trauma/other/traumatic-stress-vehicle-accidents.asp