Truck crashes often lead to massive amounts of physical trauma due to the size and weight of the vehicle in question.
However, it can also lead to enormous mental trauma that not everyone may initially consider. Exactly how do truck crashes contribute to serious mental conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
What is PTSD?
Mayo Clinic looks at post-traumatic stress disorder and how it affects victims who suffer through traumatic events. For a while, this disorder ended up stereotypically associated with military veterans and war survivors to the point that anyone who did not serve in active duty was not believed to actually have PTSD.
Of course, as the understanding of mental disorders and illnesses grew, more people came to understand that PTSD can affect anyone who undergoes a traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD will differ depending on the patient and the type of trauma received, but can generally include:
- Intrusive memories
- Avoidant behaviors
- Changes to emotional or physical reactions
- Negative changes in thought or mood
Varying symptoms based on the crash
The intensity of symptoms can also vary from case to case. Some people may have the ability to lead relatively normal lives even without much treatment. Others suffer from a complete breakdown of the life they once led and need professional help getting back on track.
Truck crashes in specific may cause PTSD for a number of reasons. Some may lose a loved one in the accident. A serious injury such as severe burns or amputations may result in trauma. Even the scene of a crash is often enough to cause trauma to many unfortunate victims.