Psychological Effects of Catastrophic Injuries

Suffering from a catastrophic injury changes life as you know it. In the blink of an eye, things are different. You have medical bills. You’re unable to work. Things that you used to take for granted may suddenly seem impossible.

However, not all of your damages are physical. Psychological injuries are a common part of almost any serious accident. It’s important to be aware of the possibility of psychological injuries when you’re hurt in a catastrophic accident.

You may deserve financial compensation for mental health damages, as well as your physical injuries.

Psychological Impact of Injury

The psychological effects of a catastrophic injury may be mild, moderate, or severe mental health trauma. An individual may suffer from a range of mental injuries, including depression and anxiety.

The severity of the mental injury may correlate to the depth of associated physical wounds, but every case is different. Psychological effects of catastrophic injury may be direct from having lived through the physical trauma of the accident. They may also be a secondary result of the physical harm that the victim sustains.

Although it is common for people to develop some form of psychological injury after such trauma, not everyone does. The chemical makeup of your brain and a number of other factors can determine how likely you are to suffer a psychological injury.

Additionally, the severity of the injury you sustained will not always correlate with the psychological damage you experience. Some people can suffer significant distress just from witnessing a traumatic experience. Your response to trauma is as unique as you are. 

What Does Psychological Injury Mean?

So, what is psychological damage? Psychological damage means an injury to your mental health and well-being. Just like the body may be injured, an accident may also damage the mind. A psychological injury is a negative change in mental health functioning or well-being because of a traumatic event.

What Are Some Mental Health Injuries That Occur Because Of An Accident?

There are a wide variety of mental health illnesses and injuries that can result from an accident.

Some examples of mental health injuries that occur because of an accident include:

• Depression
• Frustration and regret
• Anxiety
• Overly cautious behavior; unusually risky behavior
• An inability to complete daily tasks or self-care
• Substance abuse, including drugs, alcohol, and prescription medications
• Loss of appetite or increased appetite; weight loss or gain
• PTSD
• Reliving the trauma over and over
• Adjustment disorder (an inability to adapt to a new life); loss of purpose
• Difficulty sleeping; sleeping too much
• Mood swings, frequent crying
• Anger, rage, and violent behavior
• Irritability
• Difficulty maintaining meaningful relationships
• Ongoing fear of reinjury

Some injuries are a direct result of living through a traumatic event. PTSD and reliving the traumatic events are two examples. Other injuries may be secondary to the struggles that accompany recovery and adjusting to life after the accident.

Keep in mind that experiencing symptoms of a condition does not mean you have received a diagnosis. Post-traumatic stress disorder, for example, has strict diagnostic requirements that only a healthcare professional can evaluate.

How Does An Injury Affect Your Life?

An injury may affect your life in ways that are both physical and mental. It may impact the ability to engage in daily life activities. Or pursuing career and personal goals may be put on hold or changed. Additionally, an injury affects not only the individual but also the relationship between family members.

Totaling up the physical injuries and the cost of treatment does not measure the full extent of how a catastrophic injury affects the victim’s life. Mental anguish is a significant part of most severe injuries. These mental injuries are as needing and deserving of treatment as physical injuries. Mental injuries can slow recovery, interfere with daily life, and cause significant suffering for victims.

What Is The Psychological Impact Of Injury?

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, psychological impact usually accompanies a physical injury. In a study of patients who experienced a motor vehicle injury, researchers found rates of depression in 67% of participants, anxiety in 87% of participants, and PTSD varying across studies. They say that injury victims are more likely than not to display some mental health injury symptoms, along with a traumatic physical accident.

A physical injury causes a sudden interruption to a person’s routine and impacts their sense of security. Limitations to physical injuries can cause disappointment, frustration, and worry. Also, the physical pain that accompanies an injury can take a mental and emotional toll. Each person responds differently to trauma, and, of course, each injury itself is different.

It’s important to remember that the psychological impact of injury is common, and symptoms may vary.

Coping With The Effects Of A Catastrophic Injury

Once you recognize that mental health injuries often accompany physical injuries, you can seek ways to cope with them.

Here are some ways to cope with the psychological effects of injury:

• Seek treatment: You’re not alone. Others have been there before. Mental health professionals can give you the tools to address your injuries and find relief.
• Focus on positive thinking: Although positive thinking alone won’t resolve the effects of a catastrophic injury, it can have an impact on emotional regulation and even in rewiring the brain’s response to stress.
• Set realistic goals: Having tangible goals and a plan of action can help you take daily steps to further your mental health.
• Accept support: Look for channels of support, including friends, family, and support groups. These people want to help, and they can provide physical, mental, and emotional support.
• Allow your feelings: As you heal, you’re bound to have ups and downs. It’s okay. Accepting your emotions can help you make progress and avoid feeling discouraged.
• Think about your thoughts: Thought stopping, thought replacement, and positive self-talk could help in mental health care.
• Breathing techniques: Learning breathing techniques can help you pause and reset when necessary.
• Stress coping: Suffering from a severe injury is stressful. Learning stress-coping techniques can help.
• Medication: If it’s appropriate, medication can be one part of a complete mental health treatment program. All medication decisions need to be made with help from a professional.
• Find activities that you enjoy: A critical part of mental health is staying engaged. Within your limitations, find activities that you enjoy.

Financial Compensation For Mental Health Injuries

When you’re hurt in a catastrophic accident, the law may recognize mental health damages as part of your claim. This will vary depending on your state and the exact circumstances surrounding your claim. Not everyone who suffers psychological harm may be able to file a separate claim to recover losses for these injuries.

You may recover financial compensation to the extent that mental injuries cause a diminished quality of life and limitations to activities, including work. In addition, you may recover from the fact that a mental health injury causes suffering and anguish.

Often, non-economic damages in the claim you submit after suffering a catastrophic injury will address psychological consequences, like emotional distress. If, however, you suffered from negligent infliction of emotional distress, that could be a separate claim you’d be entitled to file. Throughout the country, emotional distress and personal injury laws vary.

Our attorneys are experienced in handling catastrophic injury claims that result in mental health damages. If you’re suffering from the psychological effects of a brain injury, psychological effects of spinal cord injury, or any other catastrophic injury, we’re here to provide skilled help and legal support.

At Bachus & Schanker, we understand the impact that catastrophic injuries can have on your life and on your mental health because one of our attorneys has lived through it.

Read About His Experience In “Unthinkable” By Kyle Bachus And Contact Us For A Free Consultation.