What Is the Most Common Trauma from a Car Accident?

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According to research, traffic collisions are one of the leading causes of post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD. The psychological trauma from car accidents can be severe and often left untreated because victims fail to identify the problem. While monetary compensation can be awarded for PTSD after a car accident, you need to prove that another party’s wrongdoing or negligence resulted in the PTSD. Therefore, it would help to get assistance from a qualified car accident lawyer to obtain compensation for PTSD. Here is more information about PTSD from a car accident. 

What Is PTSD? 

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental condition often triggered by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. It affects the person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. According to an accident clinic, PTSD is most common in people who have experienced severe car accidents, war, combat, natural disasters, domestic violence, assault, or rape. 

People can recover from PTSD early if the symptoms are recognized and treated on time. However, if the symptoms are allowed to worsen, it could take the person several months to years to recover from such psychological distress. In addition, untreated PTSD can result in complications, including suicidal tendencies, immunological disorders, eating disorders, respiratory problems, and drug abuse. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder typically has a delayed onset of symptoms, appearing a couple of weeks or even a month after the traumatic event occurs. The symptoms can interfere with the person’s ability to interact with others, maintain healthy relationships, and perform everyday activities. 

The symptoms include flashbacks of the event, intense thoughts, recurrent distressing memories, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, hopelessness, lack of interest, memory or concentration problems, aggressive behavior, overwhelming emotions including shame or guilt, and self-destructive behavior. 

Treatment for PTSD

PTSD can be temporary in some car accident victims, and the symptoms can eventually subside when the victim has emotional support from close family and friends. On the other hand, some people can require professional help to recover from PTSD. Psychiatrists and psychological experts use the following types of treatments for PTSD:  

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Most PTSD therapies belong to the category of CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This includes the following: 

  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy: This therapy helps patients gradually approach trauma-related memories and overcome fear and emotional distress. 
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR): Psychological experts use this therapy to allow the patient to experience the trauma differently, in a less negative manner. 
  • Group Therapy: In this therapy, victims of a similar traumatic event share experiences and emotions to help each other cope with the distress. 
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy: Through cognitive processing therapy, therapists help patients confront negative emotions and distressing memories and overcome them. 

Medications

PTSD patients process regular events differently as their flight or fight response is easily triggered. Psychological experts can prescribe medications for patients with PTSD to control the symptoms and allow the patients to focus and participate in therapy. 

Contact a Lawyer to Recover Compensation for Trauma 

Victims of car accidents with PTSD can recover compensation for the emotional and financial associated with the psychiatric distress. For example, if PTSD causes a person to miss work and pay for treatment, they can be entitled to compensation for their expenses. Getting help from an attorney who can gather the necessary documentation validating your condition is essential. Your attorney can also handle negotiations with the opposing party for a fair settlement or file a lawsuit to help you obtain full and fair compensation for your damages. 

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