The personal injury lawyers at Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC have more than 60 years of combined experience. We have helped countless car accident victims recover compensation for their injuries, and in many cases, we have also seen the true toll post-traumatic stress can take on an individual’s health and peace of mind. Belknap County residents concerned about how to quantify the impact of post-traumatic stress on their quality of life after a car accident can reach our office to schedule a no-cost case evaluation by calling 603-707-4800.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome?
Post-traumatic stress syndrome, or PTSS, is closely related to the condition PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), with which you may be more familiar. According to a 2018 article published in the Journal of Trauma Nursing, PTSS is a precursor of sorts to PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined by a cluster of symptoms that emerge after a traumatic incident or experience, with the diagnostic “threshold” for diagnosis typically being set at 30 days after the traumatizing event. PTSS involves the same core set of symptoms, but manifests within that 30-day window between the initial experience and the diagnostic threshold. Because it is the timeline, rather than the symptoms, that primarily distinguish PTSS from PTSD, and because PTSD has been much more widely studied, it can be useful to build on the insights gleaned from PTSD research in attempting to make sense of post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Summary of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS), PTSD Symptoms, and Car Accidents
Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) is an early-stage trauma condition that may affect car accident victims in New Hampshire before a formal diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is established.
- PTSS shares the same symptom clusters as PTSD, including avoidance, intrusive memories, mood and cognitive changes, and heightened reactivity, but occurs within 30 days of a traumatic event such as a motor vehicle collision.
- Organizations such as the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Mental Health identify symptoms like sleep disturbances, irritability, flashbacks, and avoidance of driving as key indicators of trauma-related stress conditions.
- Persistent psychological symptoms following a car accident may affect daily functioning, and treatment costs related to PTSS or PTSD may be considered in personal injury claims under New Hampshire law.
Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC provides legal services to individuals in Belknap County and surrounding New Hampshire communities who are evaluating the impact of post-traumatic stress after a car accident.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress
The Mayo Clinic identifies four main categories of symptoms that commonly appear in PTSD. The specific distribution of symptoms can vary from case to case, but the broad clusters include:
- Avoidance
- Negative changes in thought or mood
- Changes in reactions (physical, emotional, or both)
- Intrusive memories
In addition to the variations that may be seen between individual PTSS sufferers, there can also be changes in a single individual’s symptoms over a period of months or years.
Defining Symptoms by Category
Because there can be substantial overlap between categories for any single PTSD or PTSS patient, it can be helpful to identify some of the specific ways that symptoms in each cluster may manifest. Learning to recognize these signs and symptoms can be especially helpful for post-traumatic stress syndrome, as the shorter timeline gives a clear target for early identification and treatment. Car accident survivors may want to consider having close friends or family help them watch for the outward symptoms in the weeks following the incident.
Symptoms Related to Reactivity
“Reactivity” is a term that covers not just an individual’s responses to stimuli, but the intensity of their responses and the level of stimulus that is needed to trigger a response. High reactivity means a lower threshold for inducing a response, a more intense reaction at a lower level of stimulation, or both. Generally speaking, high reactivity is associated with elevated stress or arousal.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), symptoms of increased reactivity that can be signs of PTSD or post-traumatic stress syndrome include:
- A persistent feeling of being tense or “on edge”;
- Difficulty in concentrating, not otherwise explained by the presence of distractions
- Feelings of irritability, sometimes accompanied by outbursts of anger or aggressive behavior
- Sleep disturbances, particularly trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep
- A new (not lifelong) propensity for engaging in high-risk or actively destructive behavior
- A tendency to be startled easily
An important sign of post-traumatic stress syndrome can be the persistent presence of one or more of these symptoms. That is, everybody has “bad days” when they are cranky or distracted; these symptoms can be signs of a more serious condition when they persist over time, even when there are no obvious triggers in the individual’s immediate environment.
Intrusive Memory Symptoms
Intrusive memories typically encompass what you may have heard described as “flashbacks.” However, intrusive memories can be a larger category that also includes dreams and recurring memories that reflect or incorporate aspects of the event, rather than “reliving” it as one would in a flashback. Distressing thoughts associated with the event or some of its features can also fit into this category, even if they are ruminative rather than structured as the memory of a discrete moment. Often, intrusive memories will be associated with physiological manifestations of stress. A car accident lawyer with Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC may advise you to keep track of these symptoms to help document your condition.
Symptoms of PTSD-Related Avoidance
Avoidance is in some ways the opposite of the repetition often seen in intrusive memory patterns, but avoidance symptoms typically play out not just in avoiding thoughts and feelings but in avoiding the places or activities connected with the traumatic event. The NIMH specifically mentions avoidance of driving or riding in a vehicle as an example of avoidance that can appear in the aftermath of a car accident. Changes in an individual’s routine are common, and for many people, the impulse to avoid, whether they obey it or not, can be disruptive to their ability to function throughout the day.
Cognitive or Mood Changes
Everyone’s mood fluctuates over the course of a day, sometimes within a single hour. A variety of situations can also prompt temporary or even long-lasting changes in the way we think about ourselves and the world around us. These changes are not necessarily pathological; sometimes they can be healthy. However, when clusters of negative changes in an individual’s mood or thought patterns appear in the aftermath of a traumatic incident, they may be signs of PTSS.
Common examples of mood or cognitive symptoms arising from post-traumatic stress include:
- Negative self-perception
- Newly negative perceptions of others or of the world at large
- Difficulty remembering important details of the traumatic experience (this difficulty can sometimes be especially problematic after an event, such as a car accident, that demands investigation)
- Loss of interest or pleasure in favorite activities (anhedonia)
You will notice that some of these symptoms, particularly the negative perceptions and loss of pleasure and interest, can be extremely isolating; to a degree, they can also overlap with reactivity symptoms such as increased irritability.
Talk With a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are not the only cause of post-traumatic stress syndrome, obviously. PTSS can arise from any traumatic event or experience. For many reasons, however, a car accident can be extremely traumatizing for victims. The same car accident can also have very different effects on the individuals involved, even when they sustain otherwise similar injuries and indeed even when the physical injuries to accident victims are not serious. Recognizing the signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome can make it easier for car accident survivors to identify an emerging pattern and take proactive steps to get treatment. The costs of this treatment may be calculated as part of the damages in a car accident case when certain criteria are met. To learn more, call 603-707-4800 to schedule a consultation with the experienced Meredith car accident attorneys at Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC.
Helpful Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome After Car Accidents
The following frequently asked questions address common legal and medical considerations related to post-traumatic stress syndrome, car accidents, and personal injury claims in New Hampshire.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS)?
Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) is a trauma-related condition that occurs within 30 days of a traumatic event, sharing the same symptoms as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder but differing in diagnostic timing. PTSS often develops after incidents such as car accidents and includes symptoms like intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, heightened reactivity, and mood disturbances. Mental health authorities, including the National Institute of Mental Health, recognize PTSS as an early phase of trauma response that may later meet the criteria for PTSD if symptoms persist beyond one month.
How Does PTSS Differ From PTSD?
The primary difference between post-traumatic stress syndrome and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the timing of symptom duration, with PTSS occurring within 30 days of trauma and PTSD diagnosed after that threshold. Both conditions involve the same categories of symptoms, including avoidance, intrusive memories, mood changes, and increased reactivity. Medical professionals use this timeline distinction to determine diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment strategies following traumatic events such as car accidents.
Can A Car Accident Cause Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome?
A car accident can cause post-traumatic stress syndrome when the traumatic nature of the collision triggers psychological symptoms such as anxiety, avoidance, and intrusive memories within the initial 30-day period. Even accidents involving minor physical injuries may result in significant emotional distress. Research from organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that trauma responses vary widely among individuals, making early recognition of PTSS symptoms important after motor vehicle accidents.
What Is Meant By “Avoidance” In PTSS Symptoms?
Avoidance in post-traumatic stress syndrome refers to deliberate efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, places, or activities associated with a traumatic car accident, including reluctance to drive or ride in vehicles. This symptom category is recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health as a core component of trauma-related disorders. Avoidance behaviors may disrupt daily routines and limit an individual’s ability to engage in normal activities following a motor vehicle collision.
How Can PTSS Affect A Personal Injury Claim In New Hampshire?
Post-traumatic stress syndrome may affect a personal injury claim in New Hampshire by contributing to non-economic damages such as emotional distress, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life. Documentation of PTSS symptoms, including medical evaluations and symptom tracking, can support claims for compensation. Courts and insurance evaluations may consider psychological injuries alongside physical injuries when assessing damages in car accident cases.
Why Is Early Identification Of PTSS Important After A Car Accident?
Early identification of post-traumatic stress syndrome after a car accident is important because symptoms emerging within 30 days may worsen or develop into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder if left unaddressed. Recognizing signs such as sleep disruption, irritability, and intrusive memories allows individuals to seek timely medical evaluation. Early intervention may improve recovery outcomes and help document the condition for legal and insurance purposes.
How May Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC Assist With PTSS-Related Claims?
Attorneys at Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC may assist individuals in New Hampshire by explaining how post-traumatic stress syndrome can be documented and considered within a car accident personal injury claim. The team at Friedman & Bresaw, PLLC works to ensure individuals understand their legal rights, the role of psychological injuries in damage calculations, and potential avenues for compensation related to trauma after a motor vehicle collision.
