Psychological Injuries Are Possible Following Sarasota Accidents
Serious car accidents can be life-changing events. Traumatic crashes can lead to physical injuries, such as fractures and back sprains, but physical injuries are not the only types of injuries that are possible. Unfortunately, many suffer from psychological effects as well. Some find themselves coping with Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or depression and are in need of mental health care.
If you were involved in a serious Sarasota collision and are suffering from depression or PTSD as a result, you may be juggling medical expenses and mental health fees. Talk to a Sarasota car accident lawyer. There are compensation paths for physical injuries, psychological injuries, and pain and suffering.
Timelines for ASD and PTSD
Individuals respond to traumatic events in different ways. When individuals experience any or all of the following, ASD and PTSD diagnoses are possible.
- Distressing and recurrent memories or dreams, often bringing them back to the traumatic event.
- Avoiding any reminders of the event, including people, places, feelings, and things.
- Disorientation about the event itself or failing to remember the details of the trauma.
- Feeling of guilt, fear, or sadness.
- Socially withdrawn and not participating in activities once enjoyed.
- Inability to relax, insomnia, feeling jittery, and participating in reckless behaviors.
The timelines for ASD and PTSD differ. In most situations, ASD begins at the trauma site and lasts for less than a month. Longer in duration, PTSD symptoms are experienced for longer than a month. Because of this, it is possible for a person to first be diagnosed with ASD and then receive a PTSD diagnosis later. Each situation is unique, so talk to a healthcare professional to get clarity for your situation.
Health Issues Can Lead to Depression
When people are injured in a car accident or other traumatic injury event, there is the possibility the injuries sustained will require a recovery period. Healing can take time. But if a person is unable to work or participate in activities they enjoy, because they are at home nursing an injured back for example, they may become depressed.
Some depression symptoms include the following:
- Inability to concentrate or make decisions.
- Sleep disruptions, including sleeping a lot or insomnia.
- Feeling worthlessness, helplessness, or inadequate.
- Loss of interest in things once cherished.
- Changes in weight, significant loss or gain.
- Feeling sad or empty.
Connecting with your primary care provider, counselor, or mental health professional is an important step toward healing if you are experiencing feelings of anger or depression following an accident. Counseling bills and other expenses could be part of your damage recovery. A Sarasota car accident lawyer can help.
Is a Florida auto accident responsible for your physical and psychological injuries? Talk to the experienced Sarasota attorneys at Hale Law. Some crashes lead to complex insurance negotiations. Our experienced attorneys will work to secure the maximum compensation amount. Because our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, there are no fees or costs if we are unable to recover compensation. For a free consultation, call at 941-735-4529.