When most people think of the injuries from a car accident, they picture bruises, broken bones or other physical injury. However, vehicular accidents in Colorado can have other effects that are not seen by the human eye and these injuries can be devastating over the long term.
According to Very Well Mind, almost 10% of car accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident, and this percentage increases significantly for those who are already seeking treatment for mental health issues. Some of the PTSD symptoms one may experience after a crash include:
- Increased watchfulness while in a car
- Avoidance of certain driving situations or of driving at all
- Jumpiness while driving
- Physical symptoms and anxiety when faced with reminders of crash
It is common for many people to have some or all of these symptoms for some time after a crash. However, if they are severe or they last a long time, a victim should seek professional help to deal with them.
One of the injuries from a car accident may be a traumatic brain injury, and Psychology Today discusses that some symptoms are obvious while others are more subtle, and this can be dangerous because the victim may ignore them. However, people who get a concussion from a car accident have an increased chance of developing a mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Victims with a TBI are also at higher risk of committing suicide.
Due to the seriousness of the injury, people who are in a car accident and experience a force to the head should get an exam after the crash. This is especially true if the victim is experiencing even mild symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.