Signs You May Be Experiencing PTSD After an Accident
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder that arises after a person has experienced a traumatic event. Car accidents are the most common cause of PTSD.
PTSD symptoms can begin immediately after an accident or can take quite a bit of time to kick in-sometimes the shock takes days or weeks to fully wear off and the symptoms of PTSD don’t fully surface until after this.
Everyone is going to feel anxious and shaken up after an accident, but if these feelings are intense and lasting enough to negatively impact your daily life, you might be experiencing PTSD.
Everyone experiences PTSD differently and the symptoms are not the same for everyone. Some people exhibit mostly physical symptoms, while for others the disorder may be entirely emotional or a combination of both. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of PTSD.
Signs of PTSD:
- Irritability
- Constant worry
- Insomnia and/or nightmares
- Often relieving the accident in your mind
- Extreme distress about driving, getting in a vehicle, or being around traffic
- Dissociation (feeling disconnected from your surroundings, memory loss, or feeling “blank”)
- Loss of appetite
- Feelings of depression or hopelessness
If you think you are experiencing PTSD, talk to someone. It might be best to start by opening up to a trusted loved one, but you should see a mental health professional when you feel ready to do so. They can help you work through your feelings and come up with some coping strategies for you to try.
If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it is also important to make sure that you eat well and stay active–a healthy diet and physical activity can go a long way in improving your mental health. Talking to a therapist, the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and medication are all treatments that work for many people.
Treatment for PTSD can be expensive and you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Hoogbruin for more information and a case evaluation.