Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

For many years, mental health has been a taboo subject. People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder often hesitate to discuss their problems. No matter how much they suffer, they might live on with an undiagnosed condition.

But PTSD is not something to be taken lightly, and there is treatment available. If your PTSD was a result of another individual’s negligence, you might not be the one responsible for paying for the treatment. A personal injury claim could allow you to recover money for your therapies and more. Here at Abercrombie, P.A., we can help you.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Also known as PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious mental health issue. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it’s an anxiety disorder. People with the disorder feel anxious or stressed about situations, even when there is no danger.

Unlike some other mental health disorders, PTSD is not always genetic. Often, it’s brought on by an injury or traumatic incident. Most people associate the disorder with veterans and first responders. However, there are many others who suffer. People who are victims of personal injury can also suffer from PTSD. In most cases, the disorder has a profound impact on their lives.

Symptoms of PTSD

There are several common symptoms of PTSD. However, you should keep in mind that the disorder manifests itself in different ways. Here are some of the more common symptoms:

  • Re-living the moment of trauma through flashbacks or nightmares
  • Numbness
  • Thinking of avoiding certain situations
  • Depression or constant guilt
  • The jitters
  • Uncontrollable anger
  • Trouble sleeping

In children, PTSD has different symptoms. For instance, a child may revert to a past behavior. Family members are usually the first to notice signs of the disorder.

Treatment of PTSD

It’s unusual for people with PTSD to recover without any treatment. Typically, people with the disorder need to receive therapy. The frequency and type of therapy depends on the individual and the circumstances that triggered the PTSD.

In some cases, it takes years to treat the disorder. Your quality of life could greatly suffer. For instance, you may be afraid to drive your car. Or, you may alienate your friends or family.

Personal Injury and PTSD

It’s not uncommon for there to be a link between personal injury cases and PTSD. Because the incidents tend to involve some type of trauma, they can cause the disorder.

Car accidents, sexual assaults, and even slip and falls can all cause PTSD. When they do, you can hold the other party accountable for their actions. Consider a case involving a drunk driver. In 2017, there were 157 alcohol-involved crashes in Polk County. A drunk driver could collide with an innocent driver and trigger PTSD.

The victim could file a personal injury claim against the driver. After doing so, they could receive money for treatment of the disorder as well as for their pain and suffering.

What You Should Know About Personal Injury Lawsuits

Not everyone can receive compensation for their PTSD. For you to file a claim, your PTSD must have been caused by a negligent party. You need evidence of negligence, and it needs to stand up in court.

Furthermore, you need to file your claim within the deadline. The timeline varies depending on your state and your incident. However, the deadline is usually two years from the day of the incident. Claims against a government entity often have a shorter deadline.

How Should You Handle PTSD?

PTSD can have a profound impact on your life. It can also impact the lives of those around you. Although there might not be a way to prevent PTSD, there are things you can do to combat the mental illness.

You should seek treatment immediately after your accident. If a licensed professional diagnoses you with the disorder, you’ve taken the first step in the right direction. If they don’t, you shouldn’t lose hope. You can always get a second opinion.

Getting a diagnosis is only half of the battle. For some, the cost of therapy is too much. You might already be experiencing financial difficulties due to missed days of work or the loss of your job. To get money for your recovery, you may need to file a personal injury claim.

By working with us at Abercrombie, P.A., you may be able to receive the money you need to recover. We can advise you on the steps you need to take to file a claim. After coming up with a strategy for you, we can work to get you a settlement or a favorable court decision. To learn more, contact our firm today.