What are the Psychological Effects of a Serious Injury?

Posted on: 2 mins read
Jonathan Thursby

Associate Solicitor, Personal Injury Claims

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When you suffer a sudden life changing injury in an accident, friends and family can often overlook the fact that the psychological impact of a serious injury can be just as significant as the physical effects.

In many serious injury cases, a new disability can mean:

  • A questioning of life values
  • A change of a role in the family
  • Getting used to the involvement of healthcare professionals
  • Dealing with a change in other people's perception of you
  • Loss or reduction of earnings or income

A person who is recovering from a serious injury may also experience symptoms of depression, including:

  • Loss of interest in what may have previously been an enjoyable activity
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Feeling overwhelmed and lacking in confidence
  • Increase in alcohol and drug intake
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Trouble getting to sleep
  • Feeling worthless and helpless
  • Increase in irritability
  • Feelings of unhappiness and/or frustration most of the time
  • Suicidal thoughts

Furthermore, the daily stress and worry of coping with daily life can lead to symptoms of anxiety. These may include:

  • Hot and cold flushes
  • Quick heartbeat
  • Tightening of the chest
  • Worries that seem to snowball
  • Repetitively going over the same thoughts

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can also develop after a serious injury, especially if the accident that led to your serious injuries was terrifying or life-threatening, and it was not your fault.

Common Signs of PTSD include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Vivid nightmares
  • A constant searching for signs of danger
  • Irritability
  • Avoiding certain activities, places or people that are reminders of the event
  • Lack of concentration
  • Detachment from family and friends
  • Emotional numbness
  • Feeling upset after suffering a serious injury that has left a person

How a Serious Injury Claim Can Help You

But by making a serious injury claim, you could receive compensation including money to pay for private healthcare and rehabilitation support, ensuring you get the specialist help you need quickly; to help you gain a good quality of life and cope with new financial pressures if you’re unable to work.

Money received through a successful serious injury claim can also be used to help you cope with any new disability that you may have after suffering a life changing injury. By having the right equipment available, you can look towards a more independent and therefore happier future.

Money is one of the main causes of anxiety and depression, so the financial security that comes with securing compensation for a serious personal injury could hugely benefit your mental health.

Our Personal Injury Solicitors have many years’ experience of handling serious injury claims, and many cases can be dealt with on a No Win, No Fee basis – ask us for details.

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