Mental Health Problems in the Aftermath of an Auto Accident

Physical injuries are clearly visible after a car accident and people take all steps to ensure that they recover completely from those injuries. An auto accident also has a detrimental effect on the mental health of the victims. If you choose to sue the responsible party, these medical bills will help you get the compensation that you deserve for these injuries.

The Offices of Walter Benenati asserts that mental injuries can be as devastating as the physical ones and you may be entitled to compensation for such injuries. You need to recover fully from both mental and physical injuries to live a healthy and good quality of life.

What is PTSD and symptoms of PTSD?

Many people suffer from anxiety following a car accident. This can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD. This is caused by seeing or being involved in an accident which causes fear of death or injury.

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder fall into 3 main categories:

1. Reliving the accident through flashbacks or accidents or nightmares.
2. Being numb or easily detached.
3. Being easily frightened or angry.

You may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches or dizziness. These factors caused by post-traumatic stress disorder can make it very difficult to go on with your normal life. These symptoms are triggered almost instinctively and subconsciously making it difficult to go on with your normal daily activities.

Diagnosis of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is difficult to diagnose. PTSD diagnosis is usually based on symptoms. There is another similar condition called acute stress disorder or ASD. This condition is very similar but resolves itself very quickly following the incident.

Treatment

Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder can involve a type of therapy called desensitization which asks you to recall or relive an event. Reprocessing the event in this way allows the brain to release the stressful memories. You may also be prescribed medications such as antidepressants to allow you to control your anxiety.

Claim for injury deteriorating mental health

If you are making a claim for compensation arising from your anxiety, it may be a difficult claim to prove. You will have to provide evidence of your accident and anxiety. You will have to relate the injury to the auto accident. So, you will have to show that your anxiety stems from the car accident and you will also have to show that you have sought medical attention for your injury.

It is advisable to seek treatment for anxiety as soon as possible after the accident. It may also help you if you are making a claim for anxiety after the accident. So there are basically two main purposes which get fulfilled when you go for treatment. The first thing which is the most important thing as well is that you get relief from the pain when you take the medication as prescribed by the doctor. The second one is that all the bills act as a record and show to the court that you are actually in a state of utter discomfort from the accident.