One of the biggest and often unrecognized hurdles of recovering from a workplace accident is dealing with psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety. While some bouts of depression may clear up with time, others linger on and lead to full-on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
WHY DO INJURED WORKERS DEVELOP PTSD?
According to Healthline, PTSD is a disorder that develops after some sort of traumatic event that a person experiences or witnesses. When it comes to workplace accidents, PTSD can occur to a worker who sustained an injury themselves or who witnessed someone else get injured or killed.
As a result of this disorder, a person’s natural fight-or-flight response becomes altered, and they are often left feeling afraid, stressed, scared, or on-edge, even in safe settings. Some of the other symptoms of PTSD include:
- Flashbacks of the traumatic event
- Frequent nightmares
- Intense physical or mental distress when thinking about the event
- Trouble concentrating
- Exaggerated responses when startled
- Irritability or agitation
- Bouts of anger
- Excitability
- Reduced activities in interests
- Distorted feelings of worry, shame, or guilt
- Panic attacks
WHAT ARE SOME HEALTHY WAYS OF COPING?
PTSD can be a long-lasting disorder that can take months or years to work through. Early recognition of symptoms and an early diagnosis are key to treating PTSD and finding healthy ways of coping. Additionally, there are plenty of proven ways to treat and manage this disorder, including:
- Prolonged exposure therapy
- Social support
- Group meetings
- Medication
- Exercise
- Medication
If you believe you have developed PTSD after a workplace accident, it’s important to speak with your doctor and employer as soon as possible. If it is determined that you need time off work to recover from your psychological injuries, workers’ compensation benefits may be pursued to cover lost wages and your related medical expenses.
It’s typically not an easy process to win a PTSD-related workers’ compensation claim. Anyone who is dealing with this matter should immediately reach out to a seasoned workers’ compensation attorney for assistance making the ordeal less stressful. In these instances, Justice Injury Law has your back.
Get the justice you deserve after a workplace accident. Contact our Louisville workers’ compensation attorneys at 502-584-5455 to speak with our legal team for free today.