Although you may be suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), you may not recognize the signs and symptoms. We will tell you how to identify PTSD symptoms after an auto accident, so you can decide whether you should seek medical advice.
PTSD is a debilitating condition that can affect your ability to work, maintain family and social relationships, perform routine daily activities, and enjoy the things you used to do for pleasure.
Auto accidents can cause a wide range of different feelings and emotions, including those caused by PTSD. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the incident and its repercussions.
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD To Look Out for After an Auto Accident
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event, such as a severe auto accident. Although the symptoms can cause difficulty coping with everyday life, you can recover with the proper medical treatment in most cases. Getting help as soon as possible can improve your chances of recovery.
Mayo Clinic states that identifying signs and symptoms of PTSD could include looking out for the following:
Changes in Behavior
After your car accident, you or your loved ones may notice some significant changes in your behavior. These may include:
- Insomnia or difficulty staying asleep
- Self-destructive behavior such as excessive drinking or self-harming
- Sudden outbursts of anger or irritability
- Changes in appetite
- Difficulty concentrating on daily tasks
- Being suddenly startled by noises or movements
- Not feeling interested in things you used to enjoy
- Not feeling comfortable around other people
You may also notice that your general mood and feelings have taken on a more negative tone than before, but you may feel you cannot change this. Symptoms of negative thinking may include:
- Unhealthy thoughts about the accident
- Thoughts of dying
- A feeling of detachment from those around you
- A sense of emotional numbness
- Difficulty motivating yourself to do things
- Being unable to get back behind the wheel of a car
Intrusive memories are another symptom of PTSD following a serious auto accident. They may arise when you are in an everyday situation and not even thinking about your accident. Intrusive memories may include:
- Sudden disturbing memories of the accident
- Flashbacks of the accident that feel as though it is happening again
- Uncontrollable feelings of guilt or shame
- Distressing dreams or nightmares related to the accident
- Severe emotional reactions to incidents that remind you of the accident
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Medical Treatment for PTSD
One of the most successful treatments for PTSD is psychotherapy that focuses on dealing with trauma. This form of therapy helps people with PTSD work through the memories and meaning of car accident trauma using various techniques. Treatment may last for one or several months.
Depending on your symptoms and your therapist, the methods may include:
- Talking about your experience of the car accident and your injuries
- Using visualization techniques to help your deal with negative feelings
- Changing unhealthy thoughts and feelings about the accident
- Discussing traumatic memories of the incident
Often, medical professionals prescribe drugs in tandem with psychotherapy. You could use medications to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression and resume your normal daily activities.
Suing for PTSD After a Car Accident
A personal injury lawyer can help you file a damages claim for PTSD after an auto accident. Showing that you suffer from this condition because of the accident can be tricky. You will need an accurate medical report to prove a diagnosis of PTSD. The physician must also prove that the PTSD is a consequence of your auto accident.
How much compensation you will be able to claim for PTSD after an auto accident depends on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The type of PTSD symptoms you are experiencing
- How debilitating you are finding your PTSD
As with any personal injury case, time is of the essence. Even though you may not have noticed your symptoms of PTSD directly after the accident, you should take action as soon as possible to not miss the statute of limitations deadline.
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You Could Recover Damages After Suffering PTSD Caused By an Auto Accident
Your losses caused by the auto accident could be compensable. This could involve:
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earnings
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
Retaining a personal injury lawyer can make claiming compensation for your medical expenses and pain and suffering caused by PTSD easier.
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Jenner Law Can Help You Secure PTSD and Accident-Related Compensation
PTSD can have devastating effects on your life. You should not have to suffer because of someone else’s negligence. Jenner Law recognizes that auto accidents have psychological and physical consequences.
If you suffer from symptoms of PTSD following a car accident, contact Jenner Law at (888) 585-2188, and we can answer your questions. Our personal injury attorneys can help you file for the compensation you need for the effects your auto accident has caused.
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