Signs of PTSD After a Car Accident

Do you have PTSD after a car accident? In addition to injuries, medical bills, car repairs, insurance forms, and taking time off work, it’s also common to experience the negative emotional effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, better known as PTSD, long after you’ve been in a serious car accident.

What is PTSD?

Most people think of PTSD as something that only happens to soldiers or people who’ve lived through a natural disaster. But the truth is that PTSD can happen to anyone. It isn’t a sign of weakness or lack of emotional strength; PTSD is simply an anxiety problem that can be triggered after a traumatic event, including a serious car accident.

How Do You Know If You Have PTSD After a Car Accident?

Here are the most common signs of PTSD:

  • Experiencing nightmares, insomnia, or flashbacks of the accident
  • Lacking interest in the people or events around you
  • Engaging in reckless or self-destructive behavior, such as alcohol or substance abuse
  • Avoiding all conversation about the accident
  • Feeling numb, detached, or depressed
  • Being hypervigilant or feeling on-edge or angry
  • Feeling guilt or shame about the accident
  • Feeling persistent fear or horror
  • Having difficulty concentrating

It’s also important to watch for the signs of PTSD in loved ones who have been in a serious car accident. You can use the above list of symptoms to identify signs of PTSD in either adults or children. Keep in mind that the symptoms can manifest immediately or take several months to appear. If you think you or a loved one has PTSD, talk to a doctor or therapist about diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment for PTSD

Treatment for PTSD is tailored to your symptoms and can include talk therapy, medications, or treatment for addictions. Many doctors also recommend enlisting the help of your friends and family, or joining a local support group for people with PTSD.

If you think you or a loved one has PTSD after a car accident, talk to a doctor or therapist about diagnosis and treatment. Getting treatment right away can decrease the severity of your symptoms and help you recover faster.

Are you looking for legal advice too? Consult a personal injury lawyer.