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Do you have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from a car accident?

Michigan personal injury lawyer answers frequently asked questions on PTSD and its symptoms

The trauma of a serious car accident can leave many auto accident victims with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may be entitled to compensation for PTSD that's caused by the negligence of another driver.

For help from one of our personal injury lawyers now, call Michigan Auto Law at (800) 777-0028. There's absolutely no fee or obligation.

• What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
• What are symptoms of PTSD?
• What types of traumatic events trigger PTSD?
• How is PTSD diagnosed?
• What if I have PTSD symptoms but they are not permanent?

Q. What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a life-disrupting anxiety disorder that is triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Q. What are symptoms of PTSD?
A. PTSD symptoms, which could appear immediately or within months or even years of the traumatic event, according to the Mayo Clinic, include:

• Flashbacks, or reliving the traumatic event.
• Nightmares about the traumatic event.
• Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event.
• Feeling emotionally numb.
• Avoiding activities you once enjoyed.
• Hopelessness about the future.
• Memory problems.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships.
• Irritability or anger.
• Overwhelming guilt or shame.
• Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Being easily startled or frightened.
• Hearing or seeing things that aren't there.

Symptoms may be triggered or worsen when reminded in any way of the traumatic event.

Q. What types of traumatic events trigger PTSD?
A. According to the Mayo Clinic, car accidents and other extreme or life-threatening events are the type of traumatic events that can trigger PTSD.

Q. How is PTSD diagnosed?
A. Post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed based on symptoms and a thorough psychological evaluation.

During the psychological evaluation, your doctor will be looking for the following PTSD criteria:

• You experienced or witnessed an event that involved death or serious injury or the threat thereof.
• Your response to the event made your feel intense fear, horror or a sense of helplessness.
• You have nightmares and/or flashbacks about the event.
• You try to avoid anything that reminds you of the traumatic event.
• You experience a sense of emotional numbness.
• You feel hyper-vigilant and on the lookout for signs of danger.
• Your symptoms last longer than one month.
• Your symptoms cause you significant stress and interfere with your ability to lead your normal life.

Q. What if I have PTSD symptoms but they are not permanent?
A. If you have PTSD symptms but the duration is shorter, you might have acute stress disorder. This is a psychiatric disorder with similar symptoms to PTSD. Here's more information about acute stress disorder. Another common psychiatric injury for auto accident victims is adjustment disorder.

Call Michigan Auto Law. Our personal injury lawyers are here for you.

Call us at (800) 777-0028 today. We can answer all of your questions, and help you recover after a traumatic car accident. You can also fill out our consultation form.

There's no downside to contacting a lawyer with questions about PTSD. Keep in mind, no other auto negligence law firm in Michigan has as much experience - or has achieved the record-breaking verdicts and settlements - as Michigan Auto Law.

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