Depression, anxiety and PTSD
While recovering from accidents, victims may experience a wide range of emotions including sadness, shock, frustration, hopelessness, and fear. For many clients these emotions resolve as physical injuries heal. For others they persist and become just as debilitating as any physical injury. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep
- Problems with concentration and memory
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Lack of motivation
- Social withdrawal
What it is and how it will affect you
Some clients, particularly those who suffer from chronic pain or injuries to the brain or spinal cord, suffer from depression, anxiety, or PTSD on top of their physical injuries. Others may have overcome all of their physical injuries, but still have to deal with the emotional fallout.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Immediately following an accident, fear and anxiety are common, especially if the accident was particularly violent. Pedestrians struck by vehicles and parents of injured children are particularly vulnerable.
- Depression: While many victims see their mood improve dramatically, others experience a more uncertain recovery — especially in cases involving chronic pain.
- Anxiety: Can cause a crippling inability to work and care for yourself and your family, especially as bills pile up and life feels out of control.
At Wolfe Lawyers we take your psychological injuries seriously. We regularly work with mental health care professionals who have devoted their careers to helping people deal with the emotional fallout from accidents.