When most of us hear the medical term ‘post-traumatic stress disorder’ (PTSD), we generally think of a veteran who has suffered a serious trauma during combat. This mental health condition, however, can actually happen to anyone who suffers from an event that is traumatic. Examples of traumatizing events include a natural disaster, rape, a personal assault, a terrorist attack, or even a severe car accident. According to the American Psychiatric Association, approximately 3.5% of adults in the U.S. have PTSD. Generally, this mental health condition lasts for more than a month and sometimes can last for several years.
Symptoms of PTSD
Simply put, PTSD is an anxiety disorder. Some of the common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Consistent negative thoughts;
- Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts;
- Avoidance behaviors; and
- Negative reactivity to triggers.
If you are involved in a Nevada car accident, you may end up with PTSD due to the crash. You could show symptoms right after the accident, or they may begin months later. The symptoms may start with uneasy feelings and a lack of wanting to participate in day-to-day activities. You may eventually resent spending time with those you care about. Possible signs of PTSD after a car accident include:
- Stereotyping;
- Physically attacking your spouse in your sleep due to nightmares;
- Getting irritated by small, insignificant things;
- Inability to get the accident out of your head, which may affect your work or school life;
- Feelings of guilt for things that happened to you or others;
- Becoming anxious when you get behind the wheel;
- Becoming anxious when another vehicle passes by or when you see oncoming cars.
Seek a Mental Health Professional
Thankfully, not all PTSD cases are severe – nor do the symptoms last for months or years. In less serious cases, the symptoms of PTSD may disappear within a couple of months even without treatment. If you find that your symptoms are consistent and worsening, be sure to connect with a mental health care provider right away. If you were involved in a Nevada car accident and you have PTSD from the collision, be sure to let your personal injury attorney know about your condition and that you are seeking treatment.
If you suffer from PTSD due to a car accident, you may be entitled to recover medical expenses you incur for seeing your mental health care provider. This is particularly true if your PTSD diagnosis requires that you participate in long-term mental health care. While you are seeking treatment, try your best to understand that the symptoms of PTSD are not uncommon after a severe accident and that you are not alone in suffering from this condition due to a traumatic experience.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you think you have the symptoms of PTSD after experiencing a Nevada car accident, be sure to contact a mental health provider and get the help you need. Then, contact a personal injury attorney in Nevada. At Matt Pfau Law Group, our skilled Las Vegas personal injury attorneys understand how difficult the aftermath of a serious accident can be. We work hard to make our client’s experience as stress-free as possible, while still pushing for the best possible result. Contact us today to schedule your initial case evaluation.
