It is easy to associate post-traumatic stress disorder with military action, but PTSD can affect anyone who has been through a particularly stressful event. According to the National Center for PTSD, nearly 9 percent of accident victims suffer from this challenging condition. There are on average more than 6 million crashes every year, which means roughly 540,000 people who are involved in accidents suffer PTSD each year.
If you were injured by a negligent driver in Arizona, contact the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm. A car accident attorney in Scottsdale will evaluate your crash to determine if you have grounds for a claim.
You may be entitled to compensation for lost income, health-care bills, and noneconomic damages. Call 480-951-9700 to schedule a consultation.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Every PTSD case is unique, but these symptoms are particularly common:
- Repetitive nightmares that cause victims to relive the trauma;
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating;
- Unstable emotions, such as being quick to anger;
- And avoiding people and situations that remind victims of the traumatic event.
The majority of PTSD sufferers will experience at least one of the above-mentioned symptoms. However, there are dozens of symptoms, and if your PTSD persists for longer than a few days, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends that you seek help.
Here are a few more symptoms that may indicate PTSD:
- Persistent mental or emotional negativity;
- Impulsive thoughts and behaviors;
- Blaming yourself or others for the traumatic event;
- And an inability to remember details about the crash.
Is it possible to treat PTSD?
In some cases, the symptoms of PTSD are exclusively psychological. For example, you may be afraid to drive if you were in a crash in which someone died or suffered an injury. However, PTSD can also have physical symptoms. These include nausea, sweating, and feeling lightheaded.
Fortunately, there are many treatments available to PTSD sufferers. However, a significant number of crash victims only treat their physical injuries rather than their mental and emotional symptoms. If you do not seek treatment for PTSD, then your symptoms are more likely to persist for longer than six months.
Antidepressants can help patients with severe depression or anxiety. They can also improve your sleep and concentration patterns, which support your treatment efforts. However, these drugs are only ideal for short-term use because they have a high potential for addiction.
Your doctor may also recommend psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. CBT will help you identify and correct unrealistic and negative thoughts. Exposure therapy will help you overcome fear by confronting the cause of your PTSD.
If you were injured by a negligent driver in Arizona, contact the Rudolph & Hammond Law Firm. A Scottsdale accident lawyer will gather evidence, structure your claim, and handle settlement negotiations on your behalf.
We have more than 30 years of combined experience protecting the rights of the injured. Call 480-951-9700 to schedule a consultation.