When you are involved in an accident that results in personal injury it’s not uncommon to experience emotional distress as well. A traumatizing situation can change your whole life in a minute, and it can be extremely difficult to adjust to and overcome these new uncertainties.
People are involved in unfortunate mishaps every day, whether its in a car or on the job or out for a stroll, and are never prepared for the feelings that come after. Anxiety, fear, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are just a few of the hardships a personal injury attorney will commonly find their clients dealing with. It’s very important to identify symptoms of these afflictions early on so a patient can seek help before it begins to negatively interrupt their road to recovery and the resumption of daily life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
You don’t have to be a war veteran to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, even though that’s what most people associate it with. The diagnosis can result from any particularly frightening incident where the patient’s life may have been threatened and they continue to feel like they are in danger. Following a personal injury, one might be at risk of developing PTSD depending on the nature of the accident, severity of the injury, any previous exposure to terrifying incidents and other underlying mental illnesses. It’s essential that those in close contact with the patient after the ordeal, such as family and loved ones, doctors and personal injury attorneys, look for signs of PTSD and intervene as soon as possible. Treatment is on a case by case basis but may include going over the details of the accident, providing reassurance and coping strategies and prescribing medication.
Depression
Physical pain and the realization that life may never be the same after being involved in an event that has left a person seriously injured oftentimes triggers depression. It becomes a struggle to find the motivation within to get back up and move forward with high spirits and can end up affecting all areas of life. The cause of depression directly related to an accident varies in each patient, but a victim may be especially susceptible if they are suffering from lost wages, chronic pain and the concern over their future mobility. Depression isn’t something that should just be pushed to the side. An example of a few symptoms to watch out for include loss of interest in previous hobbies and recreation, insomnia, changes in appetite, crying spells and guilty emotions. Depending on the diagnosis, treatments for fighting depression can involve psychotherapy, deep brain stimulation and antidepressants.
Social Anxiety
When a victim endures a severe personal injury they can frequently feel embarrassment and think people now see them differently, even if that’s not really the case. It can be difficult for them to be around friends and family, especially if they are no longer able to take part in activities they used to enjoy. Whether or not the injury that ensued from a car accident, dog bite, slip and fall, etc. ends up being critical, it can leave the patient fearful of driving or just being in a car, scared of animals and anxious to step outside their own home. Coping with social anxiety will require a lot of reassurance and understanding from others close to the patient, a regaining of confidence and possibly sessions with a therapist.
There are numerous resources out there for people who have had the misfortune of being involved in an incident that significantly affects them both physically and mentally. Even a very serious injury doesn’t have to change your outlook on life, and there are treatments that should help you conquer negative feelings. Should the victim be entitled to compensation for medical care, lost wages and emotional distress, a personal injury attorney will have the expertise and knowledge to fight for their rights.
My name is Tiffany Olson and I en blogging in order to share important information with the public. Someone close to me has been dealing with a difficult personal injury case for the last three years and has suffered with depression and anxiety due to her injury.
