Emotional and Psychological Effects of Personal Injuries 

The sudden impact of an accident delivers shocks to the body and mind that leave behind profound psychological effects. The incident instantly changes your life, even if you only receive minor injuries. Both your mind and your body absorb the trauma at the moment it happens, then hold onto it for an unknown period of time. You can experience a wide range of emotional injuries and even suffer from PTSD after an accident.

The law recognizes the fact that you don’t walk away from an accident with physical injuries only. That’s why you can make a claim for pain and suffering during a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer. Here’s a look at what you might experience after an accident, and why you should hire a lawyer for help.

The Effects on Your Mind When You Watch the Accident Happen

Sometimes it happens that you see the accident as it begins, happens, and ends. Your fight or flight instinct kicks in, impacting your mind with the thought that you should have been able to avoid the situation because you were witnessing it. The stress generated by the accident and instinct is absorbed by your body and mind and gets released when you least expect it. This is typically known as PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, and can last for years. Some of the symptoms include:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Anxiety to varying degrees
• Addiction
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Feelings of guilt, shame, or fear

You may or may not experience these and other symptoms, and you may have varying levels of severity. Ultimately, you would not be experiencing these symptoms had you not been in an accident through no fault of your own.

The Body and Mind Connection

You may not have been in a position to see the accident as it happened, but the sudden and unexpected impact your body receives affects you all the same. At no point were you expecting to slip and fall, get struck by another vehicle or object, or receive injuries at the hands of a trusted medical professional. When these things happen, your body holds onto the physical experience, and then relives it randomly or when triggered. You can experience symptoms that range from feeling like you’re physically reliving the incident, teeth chattering or body shivers, or feeling like you need to physically flee when under pressure.

Don’t Dismiss Your Mental Pain as Weakness

Society has a tendency to treat emotional and psychological pain as a weakness that’s easily overcome by being “tough”. However, the impact left by an accident goes beyond the physical and its effects aren’t easily resolved. The symptoms can affect your ability to get through your day, and they can alter your personality. Seeking professional help for the trauma can help you recover with good results.

Get Help From a Lawyer for Your Personal Injury Case

At Katz Injury Law, we’re familiar with the emotional and psychological impacts that are the result of an accident. We have over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, and we know what it takes to get you appropriate compensation for your pain and suffering. Call us today to learn more about our personal injury law services, and set up a time for a consultation with our slip and fall attorney in Philadelphia. We’ll listen to you with open minds, and provide you with the support you need as we pursue a claim on your behalf.