The Impact of Personal Injuries on Mental Health
Traumatic experiences like car accidents, slip and falls, and medical malpractice cause personal injuries that often result in extensive or long-term medical needs. Most people associate physical harm with these types of accidents, and it is true that they often lead to injuries like broken bones and concussions. While physical pain tends to be the focus after a personal injury, an accident victim’s mental health may be overlooked and neglected.
Not only can certain injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, cause behavioral and mood changes, but any severe accident can lead to mental health concerns. Many injuries exacerbate psychological issues. For example, decreased mobility after an accident can make it harder to leave your home, and this social isolation and dependency can worsen mental health conditions. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are often experienced by accident victims.
Why is Mental Health Neglected After an Accident?
Not everyone feels comfortable seeking help for mental health concerns, and the reasoning behind this is complex and varies from person to person. However, it is common for accident victims to experience one or all of the following:
· Guilt or shame
· Stigmatized opinions of mental health treatment
· Lack of information about the importance of treatment
· Difficulty accessing appropriate care
Physical pain and symptoms that can be measured by labs or seen on imaging tests are often perceived as more valid than invisible injuries like mental health conditions. Despite this misconception, psychological pain and emotional suffering are valid concerns and deserve to be prioritized in your recovery journey.
Signs of Mental Health Concerns After a Personal Injury
You could still experience mental health issues even if you did not suffer a head injury in your accident. There are numerous psychological conditions that are not triggered by physical injuries, so it’s important that you watch for concerning symptoms. You should seek medical attention if you experience any of the below psychological symptoms after a personal injury accident:
· Nightmares
· Flashbacks
· Extreme irritability or frustration
· Uncontrollable emotional outbursts
· Unexplained fear or feelings of anxiety
· Depression
· Difficulty sleeping
· Changes in personality or mood
· Confusion or memory loss
There is no shame in seeking the support and treatment you need for your health. Your brain is an organ, and it needs care and proper attention in order for it to function. Sometimes, this means receiving counseling or other psychological treatments.
How an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
You may be able to recover financial compensation for injuries caused by a negligent driver, property owner, doctor, or other liable party who caused your accident. In Georgia, personal injury claims can include damages for physical injuries and emotional harm.
Call The CP Law Group today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Atlanta personal injury lawyers. Call us at 844-546-4878 (that’s 844-5-IM-HURT) or contact us on social media @TheCPLawGroup to schedule your free consultation.