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If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident, you know just how damaging such an experience can be. Even if you don’t sustain serious injuries, the fact that you could have may be enough to traumatize you for a long time afterward.
Unfortunately, it is possible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a car accident. Read on to learn more.
Nearly a Quarter of Car Accident Survivors Experience PTSD
Studies show that almost a quarter of all car accident survivors are subjected to PTSD following a traumatic crash. It’s important to note that PTSD is different from depression, even though the two conditions are very similar and have many of the same characteristics.
PTSD Symptoms
If you have PTSD, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Re-Experiencing Memories
- These memories can include flashbacks or invasive thoughts about what happened, nightmares, and undesired memories.
- Avoidance
- You might attempt to avoid talking or thinking about what happened so that you don’t experience the negative feelings associated with the event. To that effort, you may try to keep clear of certain people, areas, or events that trigger the traumatic memories.
- Mood Swings and Aversarial Considerations
- As you may know, your moods can change often. However, if you suffer from PTSD, you may often feel down, numb, or hopeless. You may also notice that you are harder on yourself than you need to be and you deal with a significant amount of guilt or self-loathing. It’s also possible you’ll feel detached from others, even your friends and family. Sadly, this can exacerbate PTSD symptoms.
- Behavioral and Reactionary Changes
- You may notice unfamiliar emotional outbreaks, including getting easily startled, scared, upset, or unreasonable. It is also possible that you’ll pick up self-destructive behaviors, including speeding, drug use, or increased alcohol consumption.
We’re Here to Help
If you believe you have PTSD or you’ve been otherwise injured in a car accident, you may be owed compensation and we might be able to help you recover it. Don’t delay—reach out to our office right away with your questions.
Contact Christie Farrell Lee & Bell today with the details of your case by calling 317-488-5500 or filling out our online contact form to learn more about how we can help.