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Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Affect Only Those in the Military?
Dec9
Posted by The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic in Personal Injury
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a psychological disorder that is often suffered by those in the military who have seen or been involved in combat. But PTSD does not affect just military members. Anyone who has seen or been involved in a traumatic accident may develop this serious, often debilitating, condition.
This article reviews important facts about PTSD, what may cause PTSD, the signs and symptoms of the disorder, and whether compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder may be available in a personal injury claim.
For more comprehensive answers to these questions, consult with a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer today.
How Common Is PTSD?
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, seven to eight out of every 100 people will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. During any given year, approximately 8 million adults have PTSD. It is more common among women. Approximately 10 percent of women, compared to 4 percent of men, will develop post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives.
An article published in NY Daily News explains that those who are affected by PTSD include a wide range of people, not just soldiers. The numbers listed above concerning the prevalence of PTSD refers to countrywide statistics, and are not exclusive to the military.
Who Is at Risk of Developing PTSD?
Anyone who is the victim of a trauma may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the NY Daily News article, traumatic exposure is very common in the United States. In fact, “More than half of all people in the United States are exposed to the kind of event that can give you PTSD, and more than a quarter are exposed more than once.”
The National Center for PTSD states that people are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder if they:
Were directly exposed to the trauma
Were injured during the traumatic event
Were exposed to trauma that extended for a long period of time or was especially severe
Had fears of being in danger
Had a severe physical reaction during the event (shaking, screaming, crying, etc.)
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol
Are younger (younger people are at a higher risk of developing PTSD)
Experienced a traumatic event as a child or earlier in life
Have an unrelated mental health problem
Have recently experienced stressful life changes
While post-traumatic stress disorder can affect anyone, women, younger persons, those with mental disorders, and those with less education are at a higher risk. Examples of trauma, other than going to war, that may cause PTSD include being in a serious accident, being involved in a car accident, being the victim of a dog bite, being an assault victim, or watching a friend or family member suffer injury or death in an assault or accident.
PTSD Symptoms and Signs in Adults and Children
Post-traumatic stress disorder can have severe and debilitating symptoms. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention lists some of the signs and symptoms of PTSD as the following:
Having nightmares and flashbacks where the traumatic event is relived
Having fears about certain situations and avoiding them (e.g. riding in a car after a car accident)
Feeling guilt, depression, shame, or fear
Hyperarousal (being “on edge”)
Children can also be the victims of post-traumatic stress disorder, although the symptoms may be different. In children, signs of PTSD may include wetting the bed, nightmares, acting out the event in playtime (e.g. playing shooting games), detachment, aggressive behaviors, fear of separation, and anxiety. The National Center for PTSD reports that 5 percent of adolescents meet the criteria for PTSD.
Causes of PTSD in children and adolescents include, for example:
Physical assault
Child maltreatment
Sexual victimization
Neglect
Witnessing violence
Treatment for PTSD
The specific therapy that is used to treat PTSD will depend on the individual being treated, the cause of the PTSD, and the severity of the PTSD. Psychotherapy treatments that may be used, according to the Mayo Clinic, include cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Medications, such as antidepressants or antianxiety drugs, may also be used to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some people may live with PTSD for the entirety of their lives. Others may respond to treatment and therapy and be able to manage the disorder without future problems.
Is It Possible to Recover Compensation for PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder can be an unbearable condition to live with. When severe, it may prevent a person from being able to hold a job, maintain friends, and do the things that he or she once loved. The costs of therapy and medications can also quickly add up. When combined with lost wages, PTSD can be an expensive and financially ruinous disorder to suffer from.
When a person would not have suffered PTSD but for the negligent actions of another party, the victim may be able to file a claim for damages directly against the party. Not only may you be able to recover compensation for the costs associated with PTSD, but also for pain and suffering. Medical expenses and lost wages related to the accident (not just for PTSD) can also be sought.
Call Our Jacksonville Injury Attorneys Today
PTSD is a very difficult disorder to live with. For some people, it can inhibit their ability to live their life fully for years. If you have developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of an accident or assault caused by someone else’s negligence, an attorney can help you file a claim to recover compensation. This compensation may be used to pay your medical and treatment bills, and to help you get your life back on track.
At The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic, we realize that PTSD affects more than just those military members who serve our nation. We understand that anyone who has been in a traumatic event may develop PTSD, and we want to help you. Contact us online now to learn more.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a psychological disorder that is often suffered by those in the military who have seen or been involved in combat. But PTSD does not affect just military members. Anyone who has seen or been involved in a traumatic accident may develop this serious, often debilitating, condition.
This article reviews important facts about PTSD, what may cause PTSD, the signs and symptoms of the disorder, and whether compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder may be available in a personal injury claim.
For more comprehensive answers to these questions, consult with a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer today.
How Common Is PTSD?
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, seven to eight out of every 100 people will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. During any given year, approximately 8 million adults have PTSD. It is more common among women. Approximately 10 percent of women, compared to 4 percent of men, will develop post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives.
An article published in NY Daily News explains that those who are affected by PTSD include a wide range of people, not just soldiers. The numbers listed above concerning the prevalence of PTSD refers to countrywide statistics, and are not exclusive to the military.
Who Is at Risk of Developing PTSD?
Anyone who is the victim of a trauma may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the NY Daily News article, traumatic exposure is very common in the United States. In fact, “More than half of all people in the United States are exposed to the kind of event that can give you PTSD, and more than a quarter are exposed more than once.”
The National Center for PTSD states that people are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder if they:
While post-traumatic stress disorder can affect anyone, women, younger persons, those with mental disorders, and those with less education are at a higher risk. Examples of trauma, other than going to war, that may cause PTSD include being in a serious accident, being involved in a car accident, being the victim of a dog bite, being an assault victim, or watching a friend or family member suffer injury or death in an assault or accident.
PTSD Symptoms and Signs in Adults and Children
Post-traumatic stress disorder can have severe and debilitating symptoms. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention lists some of the signs and symptoms of PTSD as the following:
Children can also be the victims of post-traumatic stress disorder, although the symptoms may be different. In children, signs of PTSD may include wetting the bed, nightmares, acting out the event in playtime (e.g. playing shooting games), detachment, aggressive behaviors, fear of separation, and anxiety. The National Center for PTSD reports that 5 percent of adolescents meet the criteria for PTSD.
Causes of PTSD in children and adolescents include, for example:
Treatment for PTSD
The specific therapy that is used to treat PTSD will depend on the individual being treated, the cause of the PTSD, and the severity of the PTSD. Psychotherapy treatments that may be used, according to the Mayo Clinic, include cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Medications, such as antidepressants or antianxiety drugs, may also be used to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some people may live with PTSD for the entirety of their lives. Others may respond to treatment and therapy and be able to manage the disorder without future problems.
Is It Possible to Recover Compensation for PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder can be an unbearable condition to live with. When severe, it may prevent a person from being able to hold a job, maintain friends, and do the things that he or she once loved. The costs of therapy and medications can also quickly add up. When combined with lost wages, PTSD can be an expensive and financially ruinous disorder to suffer from.
When a person would not have suffered PTSD but for the negligent actions of another party, the victim may be able to file a claim for damages directly against the party. Not only may you be able to recover compensation for the costs associated with PTSD, but also for pain and suffering. Medical expenses and lost wages related to the accident (not just for PTSD) can also be sought.
Call Our Jacksonville Injury Attorneys Today
PTSD is a very difficult disorder to live with. For some people, it can inhibit their ability to live their life fully for years. If you have developed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of an accident or assault caused by someone else’s negligence, an attorney can help you file a claim to recover compensation. This compensation may be used to pay your medical and treatment bills, and to help you get your life back on track.
At The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic, we realize that PTSD affects more than just those military members who serve our nation. We understand that anyone who has been in a traumatic event may develop PTSD, and we want to help you. Contact us online now to learn more.