Last Updated: 10/9/2023

Car accident victims often walk away with serious physical injuries. Some car accident victims also suffer psychological injuries, like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident. If you have PTSD after an Iowa car accident, an attorney can help you.

What is PTSD?

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is common among those who have experienced a severe or traumatic life event, such as a serious car accident, violent event, wartime experience, or something else emotionally shocking and difficult. While PTSD does not affect everyone, those who have seen or lived through a dangerous life event, both children and adults, may develop the anxiety disorder.

Side Effects of PTSD

According the National Institutes of Mental Health, the most common side effects of PTSD are re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance systems and hyper-arousal symptoms. Within each category of symptoms, there are a number of behaviors and emotions that a victim of PTSD may display. These include the following listed below.

  • Flashbacks
  • Bad dreams
  • Fear
  • Guilt
  • Lack of desire to engage in once-enjoyable activities
  • Withdrawal from friends and family
  • Being easily startled
  • Anger
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Depression
  • Problems with memory surrounding the traumatic event

The above are common symptoms of PTSD that an adult would experience. For children, the symptoms are slightly different but may include forgetting how to talk, wetting the bed, acting out the traumatic event, or being exceptionally needy and clingy with their parents.

Treatment for PTSD

PTSD can be a debilitating mental disorder that prevents an individual from enjoying his or her life. Treatment for PTSD may include professional therapy, meditation and medication (such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety prescription drugs). FamilyDoctor.org recommends that those who suffer from PTSD try to talk with trusted confidantes about the experience, follow up with their family doctors, and try to get back to participating in daily activities and routines. Professional therapy may include stress inoculation therapy, cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy.

Speak with an Attorney about Compensation for Your PTSD After a Car Accident

Not all car accident injuries are physical; many of them are mental. If you’re a car accident victim who suffers from PTSD, you should speak with an attorney about options for compensation. If your quality of life has been impaired, you suffered emotional damages related to your PTSD, you have high medical expenses or you’ve missed work due to psychological impairment after your accident, the attorneys at Walker, Billingsley & Bair want to help.

If you are ready to meet with us today to explore your legal rights and options, call our Iowaoffices now at (888) 435-9886 or contact us online

Corey Walker
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With over 28 years legal experience, Corey has been recognized for his work as an injury attorney.