Do car accident survivors usually get PTSD?

car accident PTSD

Not everyone recognizes that Mississippi vehicle accidents can result in not only physical but also psychological problems. Psychological discomfort may not appear immediately after the injury, but it may take several weeks to feel burdened and incapable of coping with their daily lives. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can devastate many elements of a person’s life, including social relationships and employment. If your careless driver caused your collision, you should consult with a Mississippi Car Accident Attorney concerning compensation.

  • Can I suffer from PTSD after an accident?
  • What is PTSD?
  • How to deal with PTSD after an accident
  • Find a Personal Injury Attorney

We will discuss identifying if you have PTSD following a car accident and what you can do about it.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs as a result of a very stressful experience. Many individuals believe that PTSD exclusively affects the military. In truth, each time someone observes or experiences a life-threatening incident, such as a vehicle incident, they may develop PTSD symptoms. Most people have trouble sleeping or concentrating on their everyday lives immediately following a distressing experience. Even if you may not have significant physical injuries, you may have PTSD if you cannot promptly report to school, work, or other daily activities following your automobile accident. On the other hand, if psychological symptoms persist for weeks or even months after the event, you may have PTSD.

Possible symptoms of PTSD

PTSD may not usually occur immediately and sometimes take weeks to manifest. Knowing the early indications of Mississippi PTSD will help you determine whether you need expert treatment. Seeking treatment relatively soon may also be critical in receiving reimbursement for your treatment and medical costs.

There are several ways in which PTSD may disrupt and manifest itself in someone’s life. Arousal, intrusion, avoidance, and mood or cognition are the four primary ways PTSD manifests itself through symptoms. Intrusion is something you may have seen represented in the media when someone experiences recurring flashbacks, nightmares, and episodes of reliving the traumatic event. Avoidance is a common reaction to this, and it entails avoiding everything linked to the automobile accident by:

  • Prohibiting oneself from driving in specific locations.
  • Avoiding any mention of the accident by not driving at all.
  • Avoiding anything linked to the accident, such as photographs or car keys

Mood and cognition seem to be negative, with thoughts centered on pessimism and bad sentiments about oneself. Arousal symptoms include risky conduct, irritability, and being shocked by insignificant things. This might cause people to lash out, causing family ties to suffer. This might also cause the person to become suspicious and overly cautious in otherwise regular settings.

After a car accident, what are the chances of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the risk factors for getting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being in a vehicle accident, which results in one out of ten persons having the condition. Each of these is described in full below:

  • You went through yet another difficult time.
  • You also have other mental health problems.
  • Your family has a history of mental health difficulties.
  • You were in grave danger after the automobile accident.
  • A vehicle accident claimed the life of someone dear to you.

How to deal with PTSD after an accident

Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following a Car Accident

Several successful PTSD therapies are backed by scientific data. CBT, EMDR, and supportive talk therapy are all prevalent therapeutic modalities, as is cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Therapy that focuses on the interrelationship between ideas, feelings, and behaviors is known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Our emotions, thoughts, and actions can all be linked to a single event or set of events. Individuals who undergo cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may experience a reduction in anxiety and a rise in calmness.

Supportive talk therapy — When our feeling of safety, worldview, and perspective of ourselves are disrupted by trauma, it could become even more anxiety-provoking. This type of treatment may assist people in reclaiming their sense of self-worth, feeling in charge of their lives, and making meaning of the events surrounding their automobile accident.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a treatment that aids patients in reprocessing the way they perceive traumatic memories, making them feel less triggered by them. Individuals are asked to recollect a painful incident while using bilateral simulation (monitoring a flashing light with their eyes or gripping on to buzzers in their hands). They frequently feel less triggered or frightened after recalling the memory using bilateral simulation.

How Do I File a Claim for PTSD in Mississippi?

Many individuals ask how they may pursue PTSD compensation because this disability is less tangible than other Mississippi automobile accident compensatory damages. The following are the primary compensatory damages for PTSD that you can seek:

  • Emotional Anxiety
  • Suffering and pain
  • Loss of collaboration (i.e., damaged family relationships)
  • Loss of pleasure

Depending on the intricacy of your case and the information you have available, proving these damages might be challenging. Copies of your treatment bills and psychiatric drugs are a fantastic place to start when it comes to showing psychological harm. You can further strengthen your case by speaking with a lawyer regarding witnesses to your injuries and how the automobile accident directly caused them.

Consult a Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney

Handling the agony produced by PTSD on your own can be daunting. Call the Rollins Law Firm immediately at 601-202-5101 to schedule a consultation with a Mississippi Personal Injury Lawyer. Our skilled team of Mississippi injury lawyers may be able to assist you in obtaining justice for your medical bills, suffering, pain, and lost earnings.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!