The National Center for Ptsd and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report that up to 12 million adults in the United States have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition can develop after a traumatic event.

People commonly associate PTSD with veterans who have been to war zones, but you do not have to visit the battlefield to develop the disorder. A car or truck accident is sufficiently traumatic to cause PTSD, even if you do not suffer any physical injuries.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD After a Car Accident?

Following a car crash in Tampa, FL, you can quickly tell whether you sustained physical injuries such as a broken bone or a bump to the head. It is not so easy to know whether you have suffered lasting mental trauma. You may need to watch to see if signs and symptoms of the condition begin to develop.

If you experience any of these common symptoms of PTSD after a Car Accident, you should visit a qualified mental health professional for a diagnosis:

Extreme Anxiety Around Triggering Situations

One of the primary symptoms of PTSD is extreme anxiety whenever you are around something or someone that reminds you of your crash. For example, you might become paralyzed with fear when riding as a passenger in a car or when driving past the spot where your accident occurred.

In some cases, this anxiety can become crippling. If you cannot be around cars or travel on certain streets because doing so induces a panic attack, your career, social life, and overall mental health might suffer.

Flashbacks and Recurring Thoughts About the Accident

If you cannot stop thinking about the crash despite trying to do so, it may be due to PTSD. The disorder is associated with flashbacks and nightmares about the traumatic event. These memories can enter your thoughts without warning and cause significant distress.

Disruptions in Thought and Beliefs

Those with PTSD may also exhibit distorted beliefs and disruptions in their thinking. For example, you might not be able to recall all aspects of the crash despite efforts to do so. Or you may believe that the accident was somehow your fault even though you did not do anything wrong.

Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Everyone’s experience with PTSD is different, so there is no single treatment that can cure it. Your symptoms, the severity of those symptoms, and your resources will largely determine what treatment, if any, you should pursue.

If your symptoms are mild and do not interfere much with your daily routines, you may be able to manage your PTSD without professional assistance. You could benefit from meditation or mindfulness exercises for those times when you do feel anxious.

More severe cases of PTSD call for professional assistance in managing symptoms. Such assistance might include cognitive-behavioral therapy, which guides you to confront the source of your anxiety and beliefs. This therapeutic method is effective in helping individuals with PTSD reduce the intrusiveness of their symptoms.

You should remember that you may be able to recover the cost of treatment for PTSD through a car accident lawsuit. This compensation can make the care you need to recover from your physical and mental injuries more affordable.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Need Not Control Your Life

The trauma of a Florida car accident can easily lead to PTSD, but it does not need to control your life. By recognizing the symptoms and seeking appropriate therapy, you can begin healing and return to a sense of normalcy in your life after a car accident.

Contact the Tampa Car Accident Law Firm of Winters & Yonker, P.A. for Help Today

For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker, P.A. to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Tampa today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.

We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:

Winters & Yonker, P.A. – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200

Winters & Yonker, P.A. – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418

Winters & Yonker, P.A. – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988

Winters & Yonker, P.A. – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #206, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060

Winters & Yonker, P.A. – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196

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