Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after someone has been involved in or witnessed a traumatic event. Truck accidents are one such event that can lead to PTSD, especially when they result in serious injuries or fatalities. In Kansas, truck accidents are an unfortunate reality on the roads. When these devastating crashes occur, survivors can be left with both physical and emotional scars that are challenging to heal from.
The Trauma of a Truck Accident
Truck crashes differ from standard auto accidents in their level of destruction. Due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks and tractor-trailers, the forces involved in a collision are extreme. A fully laden semi can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, which is a lot of weight when traveling at speed.
Occupants of passenger vehicles stand little chance of escaping unharmed when their vehicle is struck by a large truck. The wreckage left behind is a grim scene for all those involved. For crash victims who survive, the experience of the accident itself can be tremendously frightening and traumatic. Sustaining severe injuries or watching others die are horrific memories that persist.
Beyond the initial trauma, the recovery process for truck accident survivors can be long and painful. Serious injuries like brain trauma, spinal cord damage, or orthopedic injuries may require months or years of medical treatment and rehabilitation. The road to healing both physically and mentally is daunting. All the while, memories of the crash continue to haunt those involved. When trauma symptoms do not resolve but instead persist at a severe level, PTSD can develop.
The Symptoms and Effects of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder leads to a variety of debilitating symptoms:
- Flashbacks and intrusive memories of the event
- Nightmares related to the trauma
- Extreme anxiety and fear
- Avoidance of people or situations associated with the trauma
- Hypervigilance and being easily startled
- Detachment, isolation from others
- Depression, guilt, or emotional numbness
For truck accident survivors in Kansas with PTSD, these symptoms can severely impact their ability to function and enjoy normal life. Something as routine as driving can trigger intense panic for someone who went through a roadway collision. The sense of safety and calm has been eroded. Emotional and psychological suffering continues as the brain remains stuck in fight-or-flight mode, unable to move past the traumatic event.
PTSD sufferers often turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms. This leads to higher risks of addiction and other consequences. Suicidal thoughts may also arise with PTSD. The condition disrupts relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. When proper treatment is not received, PTSD can be completely debilitating for those affected.
Treatment Options for Healing and Recovery
The good news is that PTSD is a treatable disorder. With professional help, trauma victims can manage their symptoms, regain stability, and move forward after truck accident trauma. The most effective treatment approaches include:
Trauma-focused psychotherapy
This involves directly processing the traumatic memories under the guidance of a therapist. Techniques like cognitive processing therapy and exposure therapy are commonly used.
Medications
Antidepressants like Zoloft and Paxil, along with anti-anxiety drugs, can help manage PTSD symptoms.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR incorporates bilateral stimulation like eye movements while recalling the traumatic event to reprocess the memory.
Support groups
Connecting with other PTSD sufferers helps trauma survivors feel less isolated. Support groups provide a judgement-free space to share experiences.
Somatic experiencing
This approach focuses on the body’s sensations to help resolve trauma.
Service animals
Dogs trained to assist those with PTSD can provide comfort and help with anxiety episodes.
With a combination of treatments tailored to the individual, recovery from PTSD is within reach. Healing is a journey that takes time, but psychological trauma does not have to define one’s life forever. There are professionals trained to help victims regain health and wholeness again.
Truck crashes on Kansas roads leave far more than just wreckage in their aftermath. For those who survive these collisions, emotional and psychological scars may linger in the form of PTSD. The symptoms can make it feel like the trauma never ends. However, through professional counseling and support, there is hope for recovering from PTSD. The nightmare eventually can come to an end, and truck accident survivors can wake to live fully again.
Talking to a truck accident lawyer from Monge & Associates can help you move forward. We have offices in 32 locations and 19 states, including Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Call now for a free Consultation on (888) 477-0597 to find out how we can get you the compensation you deserve.