Stephen Schultz | July 16, 2025 | Car Accidents
Many kinds of traumatic experiences can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including car accidents. Some people recover quickly from the stress and emotional upheaval of being in an accident, but others have a more difficult time.
The symptoms of PTSD may be incorrectly viewed as “overreacting.” Other times, they can be challenging to spot if they are masked by symptoms related to injuries received during the accident. Understanding the signs of PTSD will help you or a loved one get the help they need sooner.
What Is PTSD, and What Causes It?
PTSD is a mental health disorder that can be triggered by witnessing or experiencing a distressing event, such as a natural disaster, military combat, or a life-threatening accident. If left untreated, the condition can persist for years and impact the person’s daily life.
Not everyone who’s involved in an auto accident develops PTSD. Studies have shown that there is a strong genetic component to PTSD, which may explain why two people can survive the same trauma, but only one develops the disorder. An individual’s coping skills and the support they receive after a trauma may also play a part in recovery.
PTSD can be complex or acute. An example of acute post-traumatic stress disorder is developing the issue after being in your first motorcycle accident. Complex PTSD may occur after repeated traumas over months or years. For example, being in multiple motorcycle accidents over years of riding could cause complex PTSD.
5 Signs of PTSD
To be medically diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have symptoms that have lasted for at least a month, and the symptoms must be causing significant problems in daily functioning.
1. Intrusion
Examples of intrusion include nightmares and intrusive thoughts, such as involuntary memories. Flashbacks are another type of intrusive symptom. Flashbacks can be so vivid that they feel as though you are experiencing the trauma again.
2. Avoidance
Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the traumatic event is a sign of PTSD. You might avoid discussing a car or truck accident with others or refuse to discuss how you feel. This behavior can interfere with healing and may prevent you from seeking the support you need.
3. Changes in Thinking
PTSD can affect your memory and distort your thoughts. Distorted thinking could cause a person to misremember the details of their accident. They may incorrectly blame themselves or others for causing the accident. Changes in thinking could also cause someone with PTSD to detach from friends and family.
4. Changes in Mood
PTSD can cause people to experience mood swings, feeling happy and positive one moment, then suddenly feeling angry. They may become fearful or act aggressively for no apparent reason. Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks are also signs of PTSD.
5. Changes in Reactivity
PTSD can cause people to become hypervigilant and easily startled or “jumpy.” They may engage in self-destructive behavior, such as drug or alcohol misuse. These heightened reactions can affect sleep, concentration, and relationships, making daily life more challenging to manage.
What Should You Do About PTSD Symptoms?
Ignoring PTSD symptoms may increase your risk of self-harming behaviors, including suicide. Speak with your primary physician or contact a mental health professional if you’re experiencing warning signs of PTSD. Specific methods of talk therapy, including trauma therapy, can help you improve your coping skills and recover from the emotional trauma of a serious accident.
A psychiatrist may also prescribe medications to minimize symptoms such as depression or anxiety. Speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney is also recommended.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Car accidents can change your life in an instant. If you’ve been hurt in a [PRACTICE AREA], call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers now to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis car accident attorney. We’ll review your case for free and help you take the next steps toward justice and recovery.
Contact the attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation, we proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County and Boone County and we have offices in St. Louis, Ladue, Columbia, Creve Coeur.
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
319 N 4th Street
Suite 835
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 444-4444
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Ladue Office
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St. Louis, MO 63124
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28 N 8th St # 502
Columbia, MO 65201
Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
