Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A large number of South African suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome for some reason or another. It is common for Personal Injury victims to have recurring nightmares or unreasonable fear when again placed in the particular event or situation that afflicted them in the first place. Research indicates that 7 to 12 percent of people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives, with women more likely than men to develop it.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a person experiences a traumatic event such as combat or military experience, sexual or physical abuse or assault, a serious accident, or a natural disaster such as a fire, tornado, flood, or earthquake. Some people develop PTSD after seeing someone else experience a traumatic event. The more severe and the greater the number of traumatic events experienced, the more likely someone is to develop the disorder. PTSD often leaves one feeling vulnerable, out of control, and as if one is in constant danger. These feelings are persistent, are strong, and do not disappear over time on their own. Everyday life, work, and relationships can be negatively affected.

In some instances the effects of such PTSD can have a debilitating effect on the work and home environment of the sufferer and can go undiagnosed in such personal injury cases preventing provision being made for proper care and treatment after the fact.

To be diagnosed with PTSD, the person must have persistent trauma-related problems for at least a month after the event. The person must also have specific

symptoms, which are described below.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

PTSD is defined as experiencing three types of persistent symptoms following a traumatic event:

• re-experiencing the event through intrusive memories, dreams, or flashbacks, or feeling distress upon exposure to trauma-related stimuli

• avoidance of people, places, or things that remind the person of the traumatic event; numbing of feelings or detachment from others

• increased arousal, including increased heart rate and muscular tension, restlessness, sleeping, irritability, poor concentration, feeling on guard or hyper vigilant, or having an exaggerated startle response[1]

I find that attorneys for both parties too easily dismiss these diagnoses with a wave of the hand and open themselves up to litigation for under settling. Once again, ensure that you investigate your client’s complaints completely and in totality.

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[1] Co-occurring disorders program: Family program 2008 – Hazelden Foundation