Auto Accident Injuries: PTSD
In this series of articles, we will discuss the most common injuries after an auto accident. No matter how fast you travel, car crashes can be very damaging to your body. This is why accidents are often more serious.
Auto accident injuries can cause a variety of injuries. When people think of a car accident, they usually think of their spine, neck, head, and back injuries. The most common injury is not one that’s physical, but one that’s mental and emotional.
After a car accident, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a common condition. People can be terrified by traffic collisions, especially if they are severe. Traumatic brain injuries can cause a lifetime of pain. It seems like it was yesterday. These terrifying events can trigger PTSD. Most people associate PTSD with veterans of war. It is not something anyone should have to experience the shock of seeing bodies dead and bloody fields. Auto accidents occur to more people than any wars.
A person’s life can be complicated by PTSD. A lack of energy and sleep can cause nightmares. Even the sharpest minds can be influenced by negative thoughts. It is not necessary to explain the severity of PTSD. Those who have been there would describe it as a living nightmare. Contact a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer if you have been involved in an accident that caused you to sustain injuries or PTSD.
Six million accidents occur each year in the United States. Each person will experience one at some point in their life. You could be able to recover all your economic losses if you have been involved in a serious car accident. After an accident, PTSD is common. Even after you have paid your medical bills and repaired your vehicle, it can still cause pain.A personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need for your pain and suffering. Get visit here https://www.springersteinberg.com/personal-injury/motorcycle-accidents/.Jenkins Law Offices is a firm that has a strong team of St. Petersburg lawyers. You will be treated as a person at all locations, and not just a case number.
Statistic
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 3.6% of American adults have/have suffered from PTSD within the last year. 70% of Americans will experience a traumatic event during their lives. Post-traumatic stress affects approximately 44.7 million people.
Both children and adults can develop PTSD after a car accident. 20% of children involved in an auto accident are diagnosed with PTSD. 22% of adults are diagnosed with PTSD after a crash. Car accidents are second in the United States as the leading cause of PTSD, just behind sexual assault. Although prior military personnel has been the focus of recent attention, the prevalence of auto accidents means that more people are experiencing post-traumatic stress.
Post-traumatic stress ideology seems to have gender as a hot topic. However, the gender split is not very polarizing. While men are more likely than women to be affected by traumatic events, they are less likely to suffer psychological trauma. Women, on the other hand, are less likely than men to have traumatic events, but they are more likely to suffer psychological trauma.
A scientific breakthrough has provided some interesting answers as to why certain people experience PTSD following traumatic events and others don’t. Research showed that people with smaller hippocampi were more likely to experience post-traumatic stress. Our memory cortex is dependent on the hippocampus, which can be found on either side. Our memories would be almost non-existent without the hippocampus. Studies have shown that PTSD and the hippocampi’s size are directly linked.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be difficult. Doctors may ask you to witness an event you were involved in. You should be aware of the circumstances that lead to psychological stress. Exposure can be caused by witnessing the same event happening again, directly experiencing it, or seeing graphic details about similar events.
A psychiatrist will typically diagnose PTSD. A psychiatrist will usually perform the initial physical exam and mental examination. However, the proper details will be sorted out by a trained psychiatrist. If the trauma continues to affect your ability to function, socialize and work, or to be with people, you may be diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder.
Causes Of PTSD
Although the size of the brain’s hippocampus is being linked to PTSD, there are many other complex experiences that can lead to psychological trauma. It can be caused by a single event, such as a car accident, but it can also happen over time or through learned experiences. The main causes of posttraumatic stress are:
- Auto Accidents – Severe car accidents can be very memorable and trigger stress. PTSD is on the rise among car accident victims due to the increasing number of drivers in America.
- Sexual/physical assault – Most commonly associated with rape cases. In the United States, PTSD is the most common cause. People who are exposed to these situations are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress.
- Post-traumatic stress statistics for combat veterans have been steadily increasing in recent years. Disturbing memories are made of blood, violence, and bodies. Memories that are difficult to forget can often be hard to erase.
- Stressful events – PTSD can often be caused by stressful experiences such as losing a child, having a stillborn, the death of a loved one, or life-threatening diseases. Even the simplest things can bring back negative memories.
Symptoms And Complications
Post-traumatic stress disorder is so complex that it is impossible to pinpoint exactly what will happen. You can only find commonalities between the cases. The symptoms can appear immediately or after a few months, or even years, depending on the trauma. Symptoms may not appear until you are triggered by an event that triggers your memories.
Different symptoms can be seen in every case. Experts divide symptoms into four categories.
- Recurrent, unwanted memories – This is a recurring and unwelcomed memory that makes you replay the same event over and over again. They can manifest as nightmares or flashbacks. This is the most serious symptom because it can lead to sleep deprivation.
- Avoidance – The concept of avoidance is quite self-explanatory. PTSD victims often avoid talking about or thinking about trauma-related events. Even activities and places that can trigger memories are avoided.
- Negative thoughts/moods: Negativity towards others and the outside world is very common in post-traumatic stress patients. All signs include hopelessness, loneliness, feeling disconnected, and numbness.
- Changes in emotional/physical reactions – Many PTSD victims experience dramatic changes in their reactions and responses. They may become anxious, irritable, more vigilant for dangers, and often develop destructive habits like drinking.
Recovery
It is a long-term condition called post-traumatic stress disorder. It won’t disappear overnight. It takes time and effort. Psychological exercises, medication, as well as therapy, are all necessary to recover from the disorder. You will learn how to manage your symptoms, improve your outlook, and find ways to deal with other problems. After an auto accident, PTSD can be a serious injury. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of your recovery.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is an insurance claim Lawyer. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your individual situation. Click here to learn more! The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
