The Impact of Personal Injury on Mental Health: What You Need to Know
Mental illness can strike at any time. About one in five U.S. adults is affected by a mental illness, states the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
A life-changing event such as a serious car accident can take its toll, sending you into a spiral of worry and anxiety. From the costs of medical bills to hiring a personal injury lawyer, things can become overwhelming.
Thankfully, help is at hand. It starts with reaching out and confiding in loved ones. In this article, we’ll discuss how to protect your mental health if you’ve been the victim of an accident.
Get Yourself a Personal Injury Lawyer
Depending on the nature of the accident and if someone else was responsible, the first thing to do is lawyer up.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about 39.5 million personal injury cases require hospital treatment in the U.S. annually. If you fall into this category, an attorney versed in tort law is your best course of action.
U.S. roads are becoming a death trap for many motorists and pedestrians. According to Forbes Advisor about 1,664,598 crashes resulted in injuries and 4,226,677 caused property damage, this year alone.
River Front Times reports that St. Louis County documented its highest number of pedestrian deaths in 2023, resulting in St. Louis personal injury lawyers being inundated with personal injury cases.
An excellent personal injury attorney takes the guesswork out of following the rule of law. Their job is to help you seek quality medical treatment if your injury requires ongoing hospital care.
No two personal injury claims are alike. They’ll best advise you on the proper legal action to take. If you have a strong case, they will negotiate fair compensation on your behalf.
The biggest advantage of hiring a personal injury attorney is peace of mind. You have a lot on your plate.
The last thing you want to do is deal with legal procedures that add to your apprehension. Protecting your mental health and concentrating on recovering should be your top priority.
TorHoerman Law advises that you may benefit from contacting a personal injury lawyer if you’ve been a victim of an accident.
Dealing with the Aftermath
Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a common reaction to a traumatic event. However, it can catch you unaware. Mayo Clinic says the onset of ASD can happen a few days to a month after the incident.
Similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ASD is a stress response that includes symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks or nightmares and feeling numb or detached.
Everyday Health says that people respond differently to trauma, but it remains unclear why. Many experts suggest ASD could be a predictor of PTSD, which is why patients need a targeted approach to treatment.
Psychiatrist Dr John W. Barnhill states that some people recover from ASD once they are removed from the traumatic situation and get sufficient emotional support from loved ones.
Dr Barnhill suggests some people benefit from talking about their experience to someone close or a mental healthcare professional. In extreme cases, patients would be prescribed psychotherapy or medication.
Watch Out for Traumatic Brain Injury
The long-term effects of a significant brain injury can change everything. From surgery to rehab, the mental health costs are as high as your medical bills.
The BBC recently reported that patients admitted to hospital after a head injury presented with major depression the year following the accident. A UK trial is aiming to get to the bottom of the cause. The randomized study will investigate the early use of common antidepressants following a traumatic brain injury.
Lead researcher Professor Khalida Ismail told the BBC that the trial is the first study in the world of its kind that is trying to prevent depression from occurring in the first place.
Experts believe a serious blow to the head can affect memory, thinking skills and emotions. They’re hoping the results will offer answers rather than more questions.
Last Words
Experiencing trauma is a normal reaction following an accident. Taking care of your mental health should be paramount. Talk to a mental health professional or a loved one. Take time to heal and recover. Be gentle with yourself. Meditate and practice self-care.
Leave the complicated paperwork to your personal injury lawyer; that’s what they’re there for. If for any reason, you’re feeling anxious about your personal injury claim, let them know so they can put your mind at ease.
