Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common form of severe psychological harm that accompanies a traumatic event, such as a car crash, work injury, or assault. While physical injuries acquire all of the attention in the aftermath of an accident or violent event, the mental wounds are sometimes much more severe, and harder to recover from. If you are suffering from PTSD that was caused by the careless, reckless, or otherwise negligent actions of another person, you need to speak to a Jonesboro post-traumatic stress disorder attorney today.
What is PTSD Exactly?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), post-traumatic stress disorder develops in people who were the victims of or witnessed something exceedingly shocking or dangerous. When the person is exposed to a similar event or situation, or something else triggers an emotion or memory of the initial trauma, the PTSD victim often relives the anxiety, fear, or shock of the initial trauma. PTSD is the re-activation of the fight or flight response, and can come on at any moment. For some, PTSD can be overcome with therapy and time. For others, it is a debilitating mental injury that lasts a lifetime. Common symptoms of PTSD include the following:
- Insomnia;
- Anxiety;
- Depression;
- Feeling on edge;
- Memory lapses;
- Avoidance of people and certain places and events;
- Avoidance of certain thoughts;
- Negative thoughts;
- Harm or disruption to normal life, including work;
- Recurring or obsessive thoughts about the event;
- Nightmares;
- Angry outbursts;
- Uncontrollable emotions;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Feelings of guilt or blame (distorted thoughts);
Were You Diagnosed With PTSD?
After a severe injury, hospital patients or outpatients are often given the opportunity to undergo psychological testing, including testing for PTSD. In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, according to NIMH, you must experience at least:
- One re-experiencing symptom;
- One avoidance symptom;
- Two arousal and reactivity symptoms; and
- Two cognition and mood symptoms.
Being diagnosed with PTSD is an important aspect of seeking financial compensation. However, do not worry if you were not initially diagnosed. PTSD is a mental injury that can resurface much later than the days or weeks following a traumatic event, and can be proven at a later date.
PTSD Is More Common Than You Thought
Post-traumatic stress disorder is not a rare or uncommon illness by any means. In fact, of the 70 percent of U.S. adults who have experienced a traumatic event, 20 percent will develop PTSD, according to PTSD United. At any given time, eight percent of the U.S. population is struggling with PTSD.
Contact an Experienced Jonesboro Attorney Today For Legal Help
If you were injured by another person or party, no matter the situation, you may be owed considerable financial compensation for your injuries that were caused by their irresponsibility. Similarly, if you developed PTSD as a result of a work accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. To learn more, contact the professional Jonesboro personal injury attorney and workers’ compensation attorneys at Wells & Wells today at (870) 782-4084.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml