Now more than ever, people are talking more openly and honestly about mental health issues. This was a hot topic in the news when in July Simone Biles withdrew from the women’s gymnastics team event at the Olympics to focus on her mental health, the issue becoming a defining theme of the Games. In the 2021 State of Mental Health in America report, it is evident that the declining trend in mental health is getting worse. As the pandemic relentlessly persists, we are seeing the highest levels of anxiety and depression ever reported. There are also an alarming number of children reporting thoughts of suicide and self-harm.
Traumatic life events can have a severe impact on mental well-being. Following a serious accident, some car accident survivors go on to experience severe emotional trauma, which can result in many life-affecting symptoms. Survivors have reported experiencing feelings of:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Shock
- Anger
- Nervousness
- Worry
- Fear
- Loneliness
- Embarrassment
- Uneasiness
- Mood swings
- Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
- Loss of appetite
If you suffered bodily injury in an accident, you will likely undergo a medical examination and pursue the course of treatment necessary to heal your body. If you then file a legal claim against the responsible party, you can show your medical records and bills as proof of the damages you deserve for these injuries. But how do you prove the damages to your mental and emotional health?
Brad Parker says, “Placing a value on your emotional damages can be challenging. These types of damages are subjective, meaning they are diagnosed based on your reported symptoms. Seeking professional treatment documents the damages and helps prove your case for compensation. Your emotional damages are as real and can be as debilitating as a physical injury. You can and should be compensated for the mental anguish and emotional distress you experience after an accident.”
Mental and emotional stress can severely interrupt a person’s life and may cause them difficulty in going to work or school and even getting out of bed in the morning. Some individuals may be too fearful of another accident to get in the car, which can prevent them from attending necessary appointments for treatment. Emotional distress can be relatively short-lived but, for some, these feeling and daily interruptions can persist for a lengthy period, especially if they still have the reminder of their physical injuries.
“Our clients’ mental health is often affected the unrelenting pain they may be experiencing. Recovery can completely take over life with doctors’ appointments, rehab and financial burdens the accident may have caused. Profound psychological or mental issues can develop into something worse, so they must be addressed. We take pride in understanding our clients’ struggles and helping them seek the care and treatment for those injuries that are oftentimes hidden,” Brad says.
While the trauma from a car accident can be debilitating, there are things that can be done to alleviate some of the symptoms:
- Speak Up!
Don’t be afraid to talk about what you are feeling with family, friends, and especially your doctor. There is support out there offering effective treatments for these types of issues, and it’s incredibly important not to shy away from them for fear of stigma.
- Return to Routine
Try to get back to your daily life to the best of your ability. Depression and anxiety can quickly take hold of someone’s life. Attempting to stay active in your life, exercise routine, and daily tasks can be comforting. Include your treating physician by asking how much you can do safely.
- Follow Through
Your doctor can give you referrals to other mental health care providers if necessary. He or she can monitor your recovery and prescribe any medicine you may need.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Area Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free consultation. We help car accident victims throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his clients.
