After engaging in an auto accident, it is likely you sustained some sort of injury, whether it was minor or severe. While some individuals suffer from neck and back injuries, others suffer from pain and discomfort in their legs and other areas of their body. Aside from the physical injuries a car crash victim sustains, it is also common for someone to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Now, if you aren’t familiar with the symptoms associated with PTSD, it might be difficult for you to determine whether you have developed this condition or not.
So, to help you better understand what PTSD is as well as what the symptoms are that it carries with it, below we are sharing some helpful information for those who may have been involved in a wreck and are unsure as to whether they have PTSD.
What is PTSD and what are the symptoms of it?
PTSD is “a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault” [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]. There are different symptoms PTSD carries with it and some experience PTSD at different degrees. Some of the common symptoms WebMD says a PTSD patient might suffer from include:
- Memories of the accident start to flood your mind. Whether these memories come at night or even during the day as flashbacks, they can cause you to feel “anxious, afraid, guilty, or suspicious. And if you find yourself reliving the accident through these nightmares or flashbacks, you may want to consult with your doctor.
- You make it a point to avoid anything that relates to the accident. If you are constantly putting forth the effort to not think about the accident or you make every attempt to avoid people and places that remind you of the event, these are common symptoms of PTSD and something worth scheduling a visit with your physician.
- You notice a difference in your behavior. Individuals who suffer from PTSD usually react to things differently than they normally would and even experience angry outbursts. For example, WebMD says that someone with PTSD “might start driving too fast or be super-aggressive on the road.” A PTSD patient might also find it difficult to focus.
- You experience mood swings. Some PTSD patients feel “hopeless, numb, or bad about [themselves] or others.” Some even have “thoughts of suicide [that tend to] come and go.” You might find that things “Your motivation to maintain relationships with close friends and family could be low.”
Now, if you begin to notice any of the following symptoms, you may want to consult with your physician who can determine whether you have developed PTSD or you are suffering from a different psychological condition as a result of the accident.
Most car accidents are traumatic experiences that cause a person to suffer from both physical and psychological injuries, and it is important that you seek medical help right away if you start to notice a decline in how you feel, whether it is physically or emotionally. It is also a good idea to contact a Jackson, MS car accident attorney at the Heilman Law Group, PA as we can help you recover the compensation you will need to not only cover the medical bills accrued for the services you had rendered, but also for the pain and suffering you have had to experience.
Contact our office today by calling 601-914-1025 to schedule a consultation where you can find out more about how much your case might be worth and how we can help you recoup this amount.
The Heilman Law Group, PA is located at:
42661 I-55 North, Suite 106
Jackson, MS 39211
601-914-1025
