It has been months since your wounds faded. Your injuries have healed, and you are starting to walk again. Despite your physical recovery, why do you still shudder whenever you recall your horrific road crash?
Varied psychiatric consequences
A study on road crashes detailed the psychiatric effects that victims experienced within a year since their accident. The subjects, who were aged 18 to 70, either had whiplash neck injury or multiple injuries. Moreover, they suffered from at least one of these:
- Post-traumatic syndromes: Although few had post-traumatic stress disorder, many showed post-traumatic symptoms. The study noted the strong link between post-traumatic syndromes and terrifying memories of the crash. It added that the syndromes were not associated with neurotic predispositions.
- Travel anxiety: It did not matter much if the victims were behind the wheel or in the passenger seat. Many drivers and passengers admitted to having phobic travel anxiety. And the study described it as “frequently disabling.”
- Emotional distress: Some victims had acute stress syndrome while others suffered from emotional disorders. They shared that they recounted horrendous memories and showed mood disturbances.
- Anxiety and depression: Few suffered from mood disturbances after a year, while most experienced improvements in their anxious and depressed states.
The study concluded that psychiatric consequences were common among injured victims. In addition, it stated that early advice and information might decrease their travel anxiety and psychological distress.
Treating your emotional and mental health
If you unfortunately suffered injuries in a road crash, you must remember to also treat your psychiatric afflictions. In Texas, you only have two years from the accident to file a claim for compensation.
Your claim must not just include damages for vehicle repairs, medical expenses and lost income. You could also seek hedonic damages for psychiatric pains and suffering so that you may attain total healing.