Experienced New York City PSTD Injury Lawyer
New York City PSTD Injury Lawyer
Find out why we are some of the best New York City PSTD injury lawyer
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can be triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
It is marked by common long-term effects such as:
- Intrusive Memories
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Emotional Numbing
- Avoidance of Certain Activities or Places
- Depression and Anxiety
Treatment Options for PTSD
There are several treatment options available that can help individuals who are struggling with PTSD.
One common form of therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological treatment that focuses on identifying negative thoughts and beliefs and helping individuals replace them with more positive and realistic ones.
The goal of CBT is to help individuals develop skills and strategies to better cope with difficult situations and emotions, reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD.
What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro, a psychologist. EMDR can help a person process traumatic memories that are causing psychological distress.
The therapy involves recalling the traumatic event while engaging in some form of bilateral stimulation, such as following a moving light or listening to alternating tones in each ear.
This can help to decrease the intensity of the traumatic memories and reduce the associated psychological distress.
Medication, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, may also be prescribed as part of a treatment plan for PTSD.
Alternative therapies such as mindfulness, yoga, and acupuncture can also be helpful in reducing symptoms of PTSD and improving overall well-being.
Causes of PTSD After a Traumatic Event
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can be a traumatic event that can trigger the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Accident victims may struggle with intrusive memories of the event, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping and emotional numbing.
Automobile crashes can be particularly stressful, as they can be unexpected and occur suddenly, leaving individuals feeling helpless and overwhelmed.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires can be traumatic events that can trigger the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
These events can result in feelings of fear, helplessness, and uncertainty, leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
Natural disasters can be particularly traumatic because they can cause physical harm, property destruction, and the loss of loved ones.
War
Serving in active combat can increase the risk of developing PTSD due to the high-stress environment, the exposure to trauma and violence, and the nature of the combat experience. Combat can expose individuals to life-threatening situations, resulting in physical and emotional trauma.
The constant exposure to danger and the pressure of making life-or-death decisions can also contribute to the development of PTSD. The loss of comrades and witnessing the suffering and death of others can create a sense of helplessness and guilt that can compound the trauma.
Veterans are more likely to have PTSD than civilians. Veterans who deployed to a war zone are also more likely to have PTSD than those who did not deploy. [1]
Effective treatment for PTSD in active-duty service members and veterans can help them cope with the stress of combat and improve their quality of life. [2]
Physical Injuries
Physical injuries can be a traumatic event that can result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Physical injuries can be particularly traumatic because they can cause physical harm and leave individuals feeling helpless and vulnerable.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders can contribute to the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Individuals with pre-existing mental health issues may be more vulnerable to developing PTSD after a traumatic event because the event can worsen existing symptoms or trigger the onset of new symptoms.
Individuals with anxiety disorders may be more likely to experience hypervigilance or panic attacks after a traumatic event, which can contribute to the development of PTSD.
Individuals with depression may experience increased feelings of hopelessness or suicidal ideation after a traumatic event, contributing to the development of PTSD.
Traumatic Experiences
A traumatic experience can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because it can trigger a psychological response in the brain that can lead to the development of symptoms such as re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoiding reminders of the event, and increased arousal or hyper-vigilance.
Trauma can be defined as an event or experience that is emotionally or physically disturbing or harmful, and that exceeds an individual’s ability to cope or integrate the experience into their memory in a healthy way.
Traumatic experiences can be caused by a wide range of events such as combat exposure, sexual assault, natural disasters, physical or emotional abuse, or car accidents, among others.
When an individual experiences a traumatic event, they may suffer from feelings of intense fear, helplessness, or horror, even if they were not directly harmed by the event.
These feelings can trigger a cascade of physiological and psychological responses that make it difficult for individuals to process and integrate the traumatic experience into their memories.
Most people who go through a traumatic event will not develop PTSD.
About 6 out of every 100 people (or 6% of the U.S. population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives.
Many people who have PTSD will recover and no longer meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD after treatment. So, this number counts people who have PTSD at any point in their life, even if their symptoms go away.
About 5 out of every 100 adults (or 5%) in the U.S. has PTSD in any given year. In 2020, about 13 million Americans had PTSD.
Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men. About 8 of every 100 women (or 8%) and 4 of every 100 men (or 4%) will have PTSD at some point in their life.
This is in part due to the types of traumatic events that women are more likely to experience—such as sexual assault—compared to men. [1]
Related Information
Symptoms of PTSD
Intrusive Thoughts and Memories
Intrusive thoughts and memories are a common symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by the way the brain processes traumatic events.
When an individual experiences a traumatic event, the brain’s natural defense mechanism can sometimes fail to fully process what has happened.
Instead, fragments of the traumatic event may become stuck in the person’s memory, leading to symptoms such as flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.
These are involuntary, disturbing thoughts, images, or memories of the traumatic event that occur spontaneously, without conscious control or awareness.
Intrusive thoughts can be triggered by reminders of the traumatic event, such as sounds, smells, or objects associated with the trauma.
The thoughts and memories may be so intense that they can take over the individual’s perception of reality, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
Intrusive thoughts and memories can cause immense distress, anxiety, and sadness, and can interfere with an individual’s ability to function in daily life.
Flashbacks and Nightmares
Flashbacks and nightmares are common symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Fragments of the traumatic event can remain stored in the individual’s memory, leading to the occurrence of distressing flashbacks and nightmares.
Flashbacks are sudden and vivid memories of the traumatic event that can cause individuals to feel like they are reliving the event.
Nightmares are also a common symptom of PTSD, and can be distressing and vivid dreams of the traumatic event.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress is another common symptom of PTSD. Experiencing a traumatic event can cause intense feelings of fear, horror, or helplessness that can result in long-lasting emotional distress.
This emotional trauma can manifest in various ways such as avoidance, depression, anxiety, irritability, and feeling detached from others.
If left untreated, emotional distress can significantly impair an individual’s ability to function in daily life and can exacerbate symptoms of PTSD.
Therapy, medication, and self-care techniques such as exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques can be helpful in reducing symptoms of emotional distress and other symptoms of PTSD.
Healthy social support systems and quality relationships with friends and family can also help individuals manage their emotional distress.
Avoidance Behaviors
Avoidance behavior is a common symptom of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that can manifest in various ways.
After experiencing a traumatic event, an individual may develop avoidance behaviors as a way to cope with the distressing emotions that come with the experience.
They may avoid situations, places, people, or objects that remind them of the traumatic event.
They may avoid talking about the event or refuse to engage in activities that they used to enjoy before the event.
Avoidance can be a maladaptive coping mechanism that can lead to social isolation, feelings of numbness, and difficulty functioning in day-to-day life.
While avoidance can provide temporary relief from symptoms of PTSD, it can also prevent individuals from processing and integrating the traumatic experience into their memory.
This can make it difficult to move on from the event and can exacerbate symptoms of PTSD.
Irritability
Individuals with PTSD may experience irritability, which can be caused by the intense distress associated with the flashbacks and nightmares.
PTSD can cause individuals to feel constantly on edge, leading to persistent feelings of anxiety, worry, and tension.
These symptoms can make it difficult for individuals to relax, concentrate, and participate in daily activities, and can interfere with social and occupational functioning, as well as enjoyment of life.
Seeking Professional Help for PTSD After a Trauma
Seek help from a Mental Health Professional after an injury that has resulted in PTSD because this condition can negatively impact an individual’s quality of life, relationships, work, and overall mental and physical health.
Multiple studies have shown that without proper treatment, the symptoms of PTSD can become chronic and debilitating, leading to long-term consequences that can affect an individual’s ability to lead a fulfilling life.
Seeking medical attention can help enables individuals to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their specific symptoms and needs, and allows them to work toward healing and recovery.
Finding the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured and is dealing with the symptoms, contact the PTSD Personal Injury Attorneys at Goldberg & Loren to discuss your case.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers will provide personalized attention and advise on the best legal course of action for your situation. It is possible that financial compensation may be available due to psychological injuries sustained from violent assaults or traumatic accidents experienced.
We will assist with holding the responsible parties responsible, call us today.
Sources
[1] VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). How Common Is PTSD in Adults? – PTSD: National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp
[2]Understanding PTSD: Frank’s story. (2012, July 12). [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved May 13, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFD-WNCn1vg
Goldberg & Loren Personal Injury Attorneys
5 Columbus Cir Suite 1501
New York, NY 10019
(646) 835-0311
Being injured in accident can be a traumatizing experience for anyone, leading to years of physical pain as well as psychological and emotional damage.
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