When a serious accident changes your life, it changes it QUICKLY.
Life was fine one minute. Then wham… everything hurts. Everything is different. On top of dealing with injuries and recovery, most people aren’t prepared for the emotional impact of a serious accident.
And get this…
Accidents can leave huge scars that aren’t visible to the eye. The mental and emotional toll of being injured can be just as damaging as physical injuries. In many cases it’s worse. But while physical injuries get treated, surgeries scheduled, and medications prescribed… the invisible injuries often get put on the back burner.
In this article we cover:
- Why your medical expenses injury claim should include mental health costs
- Mental health stats that will blow your mind
- The three most common emotional hurdles injury survivors face
- Practical steps you can take to start healing RIGHT NOW
Don’t Forget To Claim Mental Health Costs With Your Injury Claim
When most people file a medical expenses injury claim, they think about the obvious expenses.
Renters insurance, hospital bills, surgeries, medication, physical therapy. Those things are easy to identify and add up. But what about the mental health costs of your injuries?
Therapy appointments, psychiatrists, medications – they’re all part of your injury recovery – and they’re all recoverable costs in your injury claim. Failing to claim mental health damages because you didn’t know they were an option is one of the most common – and expensive – mistakes people make.
Don’t risk it.
Here’s the thing. Financial stress can derail an injury recovery in a heartbeat. If your accident leaves you unable to work, pretty soon medical bills are mounting and stress levels rise. The accident itself may have halted your ability to earn a living, but that financial uncertainty can cause serious mental health problems, too.
You claim loss of enjoyment of life with your injury claim – so make sure you include those mental health costs, too. A good Dallas personal injury attorney will walk you through every detail so you can feel confident those costs are covered.
You Have No Idea How Big of a Deal Mental Health Really Is
Ready for a gut punch?
Post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression. Accidents cause a severe and immediate uptick in all of them. Here are a few stats that show you just how serious mental health is after an accident:
- 31% of trauma survivors experience PTSD at some point in their lives
- Over 32.3% of car accident survivors develop PTSD
- Approximately 1 in 3 injury survivors experience clinical depression
- 25% of emergency department patients who suffer traumatic injuries experienced a mental health condition before their injury
Do you notice a pattern here?
Remember these stats. Because chances are, you know someone that falls into one (if not many) of these categories.
Your mental health matters.
Why is Emotional Trauma After An Accident Ignored?
Okay, so physical injuries are no small thing. But why does everyone seem to skip over the emotional part?
Trauma injuries come with a hefty side of emotions. Often, victims of serious accidents feel a sense of fear or panic that they didn’t feel before their accident. They may feel isolated from their normal life. If your injury has robbed you of mobility or freedom in any way, you’re not alone if you feel your world has come crashing down.
Accidents can trigger emotional trauma that feels every bit as painful as physical injuries. But while orthopedic injuries are visible and easy to identify, invisible injuries can linger undiagnosed for months – even years.
Buckle up. If you’ve been in an accident, your mental health is at risk. Even if you feel perfectly fine.
Trauma hides in the things you wouldn’t expect.
Things like:
- Sleep. Trauma survivors often experience insomnia, night sweats, or nightmares.
- Avoidance. Whether that means avoiding certain locations or being wary of every move you make.
- Disassociation. Feeling numb or like you’re going through the motions.
- Irritability. Trauma makes everything feel worse – including simple tasks like sitting through traffic.
- Concentration. Having a tough time focusing on familiar tasks.
Just because these symptoms aren’t physical doesn’t mean they aren’t valid.
What Are The Most Common Emotional Struggles After An Accident?
Knowledge is power. If you know what you’re dealing with, you have a much better chance of winning the fight. That’s true for your physical injuries AND mental health.
PTSD
Fun fact: PTSD isn’t just something that war veterans get.
Violent or unexpected accidents are a leading cause of PTSD in injury survivors. Anxiety, flashbacks, insomnia, nightmares, and avoiding certain places are all traumatic symptoms someone may experience after their accident.
PTSD can appear suddenly, days after the accident. Or it can lay dormant, masked by adrenaline until you settle down from the accident.
Depression
Depression and injury often go hand-in-hand.
Accidents can change your life overnight. Suddenly, you’re dealing with injuries, doctors appointments, and a confusing recovery plan. It can all feel incredibly isolating if you’re no longer able to do the things you enjoy.
Being injured often triggers pre-existing depression. Or can lead to situational depression after the accident.
Anxiety and Panic
Uncertainty is anxiety’s best friend.
One minute you were going about your day, and the next you’ve been injured and are facing an overwhelming recovery. Survivors often experience extreme anxiety about every part of their life they used to take for granted.
Are you scared to drive again? Trying to sleep at night but can’t stop thinking about “what if”? Anxiety like this is extremely common – and a normal response to your accident.
The key is recognizing it and seeking help.
Everyone reacts differently to trauma and recovery. With the right support, you can overcome these emotional injuries and recover from your accident.
Take Action To Start Healing Today
Guess what?
While PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common – they’re not invincible.
The World Health Organization reported that up to 40% of people with PTSD make a full recovery within a year.
Here are some steps you can take to start winning the fight against your emotional injuries:
- See a professional. If symptoms persist more than two weeks after your accident, seek help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works well to treat PTSD, depression, and anxiety in trauma survivors.
- Reach out to friends/family. It’s common to feel alone after an accident. Make an effort to check in with loved ones – even if it’s just a text once a week.
- Document, document, document. Keep a journal of your emotional symptoms and therapy appointments. Make note of how your trauma affects your day-to-day life.
- Be patient. Recovery takes time. You will heal.
Combine great attorneys with solid mental health treatment and you’ve got a recipe for successful recovery.
Summary: Damages From The Emotional Toll Of An Accident
Here’s a final recap:
- Traumatic events can leave emotional scars that take time to heal
- Mental health costs are 100% recoverable with your injury claim
- If symptoms persist after two weeks, seek professional help
- Therapy and medication are normal and necessary parts of your recovery
Physical injuries heal given time. Emotional injuries can, too. Make sure you’re seeking help for both.