Car accidents are frightening for everyone, but for some people, the effects can be very long lasting. Studies have found that there are certain individuals who are prone to experiencing PTSD, following a serious traffic accident. A look into this surprising discovery reveals more about this phenomenon and how those with PTSD cope, after their car crash.
While not everyone who gets involved in a car accident will develop PTSD, there is a segment of the population more likely to suffer from this condition. While there’s no way to know for sure who will and who won’t develop PTSD following a car wreck, studies have uncovered certain risk factors that do increase the likelihood. For those to whom these factors apply, the development of PTSD is far more likely to occur.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Where an individual already has a physical or mental illness, it’s more likely that the trauma of a car accident will further damage their psyche. If there’s a history of mental illness in the person’s family, this may also be a strong indicator that he or she is susceptible to developing PTSD.
Emotional Awareness
Another key factor involves how the individual reacts to the accident. A healthy emotional reaction is to be expected and it doesn’t matter whether that emotion is guilt, horror, fear, etc., as long as they’re feeling something. The danger of developing PTSD comes when the person reacts in a dissociative manner, acting as though they’re disconnected from the incident. A distant, far away demeanor is evident. This keeps the person from processing the accident and will lead to PTSD in many cases.
The Event
The actual accident may be the strongest indicator, depending on the severity of the incident. This is particularly true, if the individual felt his or her life was threatened by the crash.
Gender
Women are more likely than men to experience PTSD. In fact, researchers found that 5% of men suffer from it, while 10% of women are PTSD prone.
Age And Marriage
These are two more factors that play a role in how an individual responds to a car accident, yet not quite in the way one might suspect. Younger people are more prone to developing PTSD than older drivers when a serious car wreck happens.
People who were once married, but are either divorced, separated, or widowed are also at a higher risk of developing PTSD. Individuals who are married at the time of their accident aren’t as likely to develop the condition.
Emotional Support
Finally, the way in which an individual is treated following the accident is a key indicator of how likely they are to experience PTSD. Those who are attended to by caring loved ones are least likely to develop the condition, because they can draw strength from that support. Individuals who don’t experience emotional bonding in the aftermath of a car wreck are more likely to go through PTSD, due to feeling alone and frightened.
Car accidents can be especially traumatic, especially for those already prone to PTSD. It’s important to remember that a car wreck victim needs care and understanding to heal, just as much as they may need medical treatment.
After spending his secondary years of study at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, G Turner Howard III earned his BA at Tulane University. A member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, he received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Before becoming an attorney, he earned a Master’s and Doctor of Divinity at Andrews Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary. He also served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in Vietnam. With more than 20 years of experience, his firm has helped clients receive millions of dollars for personal injury, and in many cases, much faster than they ever expected.
