You may associate PTSD with events that soldiers encounter while in combat. However, according to the Journal Sentinel, mental health professionals have discovered that many people are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder after a single-incident trauma.
If you have recently been in a car accident in Georgia, here are some signs that may indicate that your trauma has caused PTSD.
Avoiding reminders of the accident
Perhaps you feel anxious when you get into a vehicle now because it reminds you of the trauma of the accident. If that anxiety has become so intense that you are no longer able to drive, it could be a symptom of PTSD.
Experiencing extreme responses to events
The anxiety you feel could cause extreme physical reactions when you get into a vehicle or do other things that never bothered you before you were in the collision. For example, you may find your heart racing, break out in a sweat and begin hyperventilating.
Reliving the experience
The way you experience memories of the accident could indicate PTSD if it includes one or more of the following:
- Having nightmares
- Repeatedly thinking of the accident
- Experiencing flashbacks or memories so strong they cause you to believe you are seeing or hearing the accident again
Becoming depressed
Suffering first from the trauma of the accident and then from the distressing symptoms of PTSD could create a new lens through which you view the world. It is common for people in this situation to have negative feelings and become depressed.
This overview of PTSD symptoms that may occur after a car accident is for informational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as medical or legal advice.
