Car Accident PTSD: What Are the Symptoms?

By March 4, 2020Car Accident
Car Accident can cause PTSD

If you have been in a car accident, you are likely to struggle with car accident PTSD. Fortunately, there are lots of effective ways to treat it. If you suffered PTSD after a car accident, you may seek compensation with the help of a Grand Junction auto accident lawyer

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

1.      Unpleasant Mood Changes

If you have at least two of the following symptoms, you may have PTSD;

  • Feeling isolated

  • Self-blame or blame for others
  • Trouble remembering the trauma
  • Reduced interest in activities that you previously enjoyed

2.      Signs of Intrusion

Common intrusion symptoms include; 

  • Nightmares
  • Intense memories
  • Flashbacks
  • Distress when exposed to triggers

3.      Hyper Arousal

Hyper-arousal is an anxiety response to things that you were previously okay with. Symptoms of hyper-arousal include nervousness and increased respiration. 

4.      Emotional Numbing and Avoidance

If you have car accident PTSD, you may not like spending time with other people. You may prefer to avoid people and situations that remind you of the car crash. Emotional numbing keeps you from dealing with the event in a healthy way. Even though it is common to experience some anxiety after an accident, it shouldn’t interfere with your ability to do daily activities. 

5.      Reactivity Changes

If you have PTSD, you may experience at least two of the following symptoms;

  • Hyper-awareness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • An increased startle response
  • Engaging in risky or destructive behavior
  • Difficulty staying asleep

If the symptoms persist for a month or more, you may need to seek medical help. If PTSD is left untreated, it may interfere with your ability to go on with daily activities. It may affect your general health and relationships with loved ones. Over time, it may trigger emotional problems. 

Treating PTSD

Even though PTSD can have devastating effects, it is treatable. With the right care and management, you can go back to living a normal and healthy life. If you test positive for PTSD even though you aren’t distressed, your doctors can educate you on how to spot the symptoms of PTSD. If you are distressed, there are lots of treatment options that may help you. 

Some patients may need behavioral therapy to manage their symptoms and triggers. Behavioral therapy teaches patients to deal with their anxiety healthily.

If you suffer from PTSD, the chemicals in your brain are unbalanced. They may affect how you feel. Doctors may prescribe medication to balance the chemicals in your brain. 

Contact Us!

If you need the help of a Grand Junction auto accident lawyer, consider working with Cimarron Ridge Legal Group. We handle different auto accident cases including; pedestrian accidents, car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents. We understand that car accidents can lead to serious health and financial problems and we are happy to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

We are an experienced firm with over 70 years of combined experience. Our legal team is always willing to help regardless of the nature of your auto accident case. Contact us today at (970) 230-7656 and speak to one of our attorneys.