The experience of human life goes beyond the physical body. Physical injuries can be seen, palpated, measured, analyzed, and subjected to a series of laboratory studies to obtain a diagnosis. In the universal laws of matter, things are objective; they are as they are.
We know, for example, that in the matter of the skin, the outermost layer, the epidermis, consists mainly of epithelial cells and serves as a protective barrier against external factors. It contains specialized cells called keratinocytes that produce a tough protein called keratin, which provides structural strength to the skin.
We also know that beneath the epidermis is the dermis, composed mainly of connective tissues, including collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen provides tensile strength, while elastin confers elasticity to the skin. The dermal layer also contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
As we can see, the definitions of the objective aspects of the human body are well established in practical matters. There are even entire anatomy manuals where we can discover every bone and muscle of the body, as well as their functions within the whole complexity of the organic machine that is the body.
However, what happens when an aspect of the human being cannot be measured? It cannot be seen under microscopes. You can't get a number from a lab result, nor can you isolate any culture with an organic pathogen, such as bacteria or parasite, that is found to be causing the symptoms that a person expresses.
Symptoms that go beyond the physical issue. Symptoms can encompass the emotional, spiritual, and socio-cultural levels. It is impossible to adapt to life itself due to a level of stress that has not been processed.
After experiencing or witnessing a shocking or upsetting event, a person may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The suddenness and force of the collision in the context of auto accidents can cause this crippling condition.
The signs of car accident PTSD can be very diverse, ranging from nightmares and flashbacks to anxiety, depression, and a crippling fear of operating a vehicle or even being near one. While dealing with these symptoms can be difficult, getting professional assistance is an essential first step to recovery.
This type of clinical picture is always difficult for specialists since they do not know exactly what they are fighting against. Post-traumatic stress disorders respond to elements of the patient's psychosomatic world.
There are sensitive fibers in the psychological plane of people born into the unconscious world. In this scenario, small leaks are created between the conscious and unconscious processes used by humans to understand reality.
Can you get PTSD from a car accident?
An intense event that demands a high degree of tolerance to process the facts and integrate the experience into rational life can put too much pressure on a person's psyche.
In car accidents, one can even witness events that move on the thin line between life and death. For example, many of our clients have reported to us that they felt they had a near-death experience after the accident.
Some described heavenly images that covered their entire minds. Many of them, upon closing their eyes, also reported seeing lights in the shape of stars and even a famous video showing all their lives. However, when they realized they had survived and regained consciousness, the state of shock remained months later. These experiences undoubtedly left an imprint on their personalities and their way of seeing the world.
Do you think you are experiencing the after-effects of post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident in Brooklyn? Do you find it hard to sleep since then? Has your quality of life been dramatically altered? Are you afraid? An irrational fear you can't explain, or a sadness you can't rationalize? A car accident PTSD lawyer could help you to get answers.
Did you suddenly witness the death of a co-worker? Nightmares wake you up in the middle of the night; you freeze, don't quite understand what is happening, and confuse wakefulness with reality. Those are probably common symptoms of PTSD.
It would be better for you to contact a professional personal injury lawyer from our team. PTSD car accident symptoms are not pleasant, and we never recommend dealing with them alone. We know that the support of your loved ones will help you get back to normal.
But, you will also need the support of both health professionals and legal professionals to evaluate the compensation you should receive to enable you to afford the treatment to cope with and overcome these symptoms.
The Ward Law Group is available to assist Brooklyn residents who developed PTSD as a result of a car accident. Our committed team of lawyers guides accident victims through the legal system so they can obtain just compensation.
Please feel free to contact any of our personal injury attorneys if you need compassionate and knowledgeable legal support because of PTSD following a car accident. Our top priorities are your health and recovery.
Long-term effects of PTSD
This health condition can be very complex because the effects can increase over time. In this case, we are associating it with events such as accidents. However, post-traumatic stress disorder has also been diagnosed in war veterans. For example, many of the soldiers who fought in Vietnam showed symptoms that fit with PTSD, which lasted up to 20 years after the events.
Veterans reported feeling haunted most of the time and even having episodes of synesthesia, where their senses were altered, and they could smell the odors of chemicals used on the battlefield or smell a powdery scent in their homes.
None of this was entirely real, but part of what these diagnosed people perceived showed how this syndrome can generate alterations in their perception of reality.
Investigations are still in progress. Recently, ways have been found to include novel molecules in research and treatments with substances that can also have recreational use.
This is the case of DMT, for example, a substance that has aroused much attention in the scientific community for its ability to generate altered states of consciousness, which favor perceptions difficult to achieve in a lucid state. In addition, it provides the victims of this syndrome an opportunity to rediscover their inner world and generate healing processes at a level not yet understood by science.
The urgency to find therapeutic alternatives to this type of clinical picture is high. This is confirmed by the long-term effects that alter the quality of life of those who suffer from it:
• Increased Anxiety: Individuals with PTSD may experience heightened levels of anxiety, leading to generalized anxiety disorder or other anxiety-related conditions.
• Chronic Depression: Long-term PTSD can contribute to the development of chronic depression, which may require ongoing treatment.
• Social Isolation: Many people with PTSD withdraw from social activities and relationships, leading to increased isolation and loneliness.
• Impaired Relationships: PTSD can strain personal relationships, leading to difficulties in maintaining connections with family and friends.
• Substance Abuse: Some individuals turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with PTSD symptoms, potentially leading to addiction.
• Sleep Disorders: Chronic nightmares and insomnia are common long-term effects of PTSD, affecting overall well-being.
• Reduced Quality of Life: PTSD can have a profound impact on an individual's overall quality of life, limiting their ability to enjoy life fully.
• Increased Risk of Health Issues: Long-term stress associated with PTSD may contribute to a higher risk of health problems, including cardiovascular disease.
• Cognitive Impairments: Concentration, memory, and cognitive function may be impaired in individuals with long-term PTSD.
• Employment Challenges: Maintaining steady employment can be difficult due to the symptoms and effects of PTSD.
• Emotional Numbing: Long-term PTSD may lead to emotional numbness or emotional detachment from loved ones.
• Increased Irritability: Individuals with PTSD may become easily irritated, leading to conflicts in daily life, even with friends and family.
• Hypervigilance: Long-term hypervigilance, or a heightened state of alertness, can be exhausting and detrimental to mental health.
• Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts: These symptoms can persist over the long term, causing distressing and disruptive experiences.
• Suicidal Thoughts: In severe cases, long-term PTSD can lead to persistent suicidal thoughts, emphasizing the need for ongoing treatment and support.
Real-life examples/stories of individuals suffering from PTSD after car accidents
The After Trauma web portal, supported by the Blizard Institute at Queen Mary University of London, with the support of the Center for Trauma Sciences, often shares valuable and cutting-edge information on this type of diagnosis.
For the past 15 years, PTSD has attracted the attention of the entire scientific community. This is because it has presented itself as a challenge to understanding the human being, health, and the balance between the physical and the psychic.
In this portal, you can also find some real cases of people who survived traumatic events and are now resuming their lives as before the intense events they had to experience.
- This is the case of Shan, who was struck by a car as she crossed a narrow village road, giving her a 6% chance of surviving. Shan celebrated her recovery with a "Stayin' Alive" party with family, friends, and the doctors who saved her.
- There is also the case of Evi, who had a serious car accident. She discusses its effects, her numerous operations, and setbacks. She bravely discusses her battle with depression and how she summoned unimaginable fortitude to survive.
- Also, the story of David. His bicycle was struck by a car, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). He was taken to the hospital and underwent brain surgery to prevent blood clots. He spent a total of 46 days in critical care and a coma. David had to relearn a lot of his life skills after being released from the hospital over the coming months and years. He is currently working as an IT security consultant once more.
- Or the case of Angela and Roger. In a motorway pile-up in January 2015, Angela and Roger were both injured. Angela also experienced a heart attack and a stroke at the scene. She has now experienced a remarkable recovery with her husband's tender assistance.
And so the list could go on endlessly. With hundreds of survivors worldwide, we are now connecting their experiences more through the massiveness of the internet. Pain sometimes also brings people together, and in the case of recovery from traumatic situations, groups, forums, or web portals are sometimes a channel to relieve burdens that we cannot communicate or to share with others the sensations that we cannot communicate.
They are looking in the community for creative solutions to what happens and working on building a new perspective on life, rebuilding their path after the chaos.
How to Prove PTSD after a Car Accident
You may wonder, how difficult can it be to prove that PTSD has occurred after an accident? Is science capable of providing an objective diagnosis that truly demonstrates that element A (car accident) degenerated into consequence B (Post Traumatic Stress)? A car accident lawyer from our law firm is trained to answer those questions.
It may not be such a simple process at first. However, reaching an objective conclusion is undoubtedly very helpful for the case. Here are some recommendations in this regard:
PTSD Diagnosis through Medical Evaluations:
Relevant medical assessments to get a diagnosis may include:
• Psychological Assessment: A trained mental health professional conducts interviews and assessments to evaluate a person's mental and emotional well-being.
• Symptom Identification: Medical professionals identify specific PTSD symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
• Diagnostic Criteria: They use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine if the patient meets the criteria for PTSD.
• Patient History: A thorough review of the patient's medical and psychological history is conducted.
• Psychological Testing: Various psychological tests may be administered to assess the extent of the trauma's impact.
• Collaboration: Medical professionals often collaborate with psychiatrists or psychologists to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Apart from the diagnosis, these recommendations should also be followed:
• Psychiatric Assessments and Treatment Records: Individuals who suspect they have PTSD should seek psychiatric assessments and treatment. Keeping a record of these assessments and the treatment received, such as therapy or medication, can be instrumental in proving the presence and severity of PTSD.
• Expert Testimony on Mental Health Conditions: Experienced mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, can provide expert testimony on the nature and impact of PTSD. Their insights can be invaluable in establishing the connection between the car accident and the subsequent development of PTSD.
• Documentation of Traumatic Events: Providing documentation of the traumatic events leading to the car accident, including accident reports, eyewitness accounts, or photographs, can help substantiate the claim that the accident was indeed a traumatic event contributing to new symptoms that include PTSD.
• Witness Statements: Statements from witnesses who observed changes in the individual's behavior or mental state following the accident can corroborate the presence of PTSD symptoms. This also plays an important role in showing evidence to insurance companies.
• Treatment Records for PTSD: Car accident victims and, in general, motor vehicle accident victims should maintain thorough records of all treatments received for PTSD, including therapy sessions, medication prescriptions, and progress reports, which can demonstrate the ongoing impact of the condition.
Contact a PTSD Lawyer in Brooklyn
Contact the Ward Law Group if you have been of an event that provoked PTSD in you or a loved one. Do not hesitate to share your questions with us. Dealing with PTSD or any other traumatic experiences is not an easy task.
We love to serve our community. You don’t need to face this alone. You have the best team of lawyers by your side now based in New York.
Schedule a free consultation with us right now! Call now at 855-DOLOR-55!