How An Automobile Accident Impacts Your Mental And Emotional Health
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
Even a minor car accident can lead to copious amounts of stress. For those in the St. Petersburg area, the mental and emotional effects of this stress may come as a surprise. While you’re paying close attention to the physical effects of your accident, you could be ignoring the equally important emotional injuries lurking just under the surface. Emotional distress should be taken seriously, as these injuries are just as likely to lead you to job loss and diminished quality of life and will only grow more severe if left untreated.The 5 Most Common Emotional Effects Of A Car Accident
There are some emotional and mental injuries you should look out for after experiencing a car accident. The 5 most common of these are:
• Depression – Depression comes in many forms, and the most common to come after a car accident is typically Major Depressive Disorder. Major Depressive Disorder affects more than 16 million Americans every year, some of which develop the condition after experiencing a traumatic car accident. A sense of overwhelming sadness that eclipses your natural interest in everyday life is a major sign, and something that shouldn’t be ignored if felt. If these feelings persist regularly for weeks at a time, it is time to seek help from a mental health professional. Those who have injured their passengers in a car accident are most at risk for falling into a state of depression.
• Anxiety – The Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates that over 40 million Americans live with some type of anxiety disorder. A traumatic event like an automobile accident can easily send a person into a state of anxiety at the time, but it’s when these symptoms persist that help should be sought. Accidents are both scary and traumatic, and this anxiety can manifest itself in a number of ways. Anxiety may also lead into physical effects like IBS if left untreated.
• Sleep disorders – The trauma of a car accident in St. Petersburg may be so great that it seeps into your mind as you sleep, affecting your dreams and making an impact on your overall ability to sleep. Stress is known to overstimulate the brain, and it’s these neurochemicals responsible for nightmares and sleep loss. Daytime fatigue can affect your health, your ability to work, and your overall quality of life.
• Behavioral changes – Behavioral changes after a car accident may stem from other mental health effects, like depression or anxiety, or they may be categorized as their own standalone category of issue. For instance, a traumatic event may cause a person to suffer delusions, suddenly believing things that aren’t true to be their reality. Confusion, hallucinations, delirium, and disorganized speech may all be signs that an accident has caused behavioral changes requiring professional help.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the single most common emotional injuries one may suffer after a car accident of any kind. According to the University of Wisconsin Medical School, subsyndromal PTSD is the most common type of PTSD suffered after a car accident, and it comes along with a variety of different symptoms. Those suffering from subsyndromal PTSD might experience high levels of hyperarousal and low levels of avoidance or emotional numbing. Any person who has been involved or witness to a traumatic event may be at risk of developing PTSD.
The mental effects of a car accident in St. Petersburg can lead to job loss, strain on relationships, and the prolonged need for medical care. If you’ve experienced a car accident leading to mental or emotional injury, contact us at TheStPeteLawyer.com today.