Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious emotional condition that is often triggered by flashbacks and throws the victim into severe distress and crippling anxiety for an unknown amount of time. The triggers of PTSD are often linked to a particularly stressful, frightening, or violent event in the past. For example, someone who was in a train accident and was traumatized by the event may suffer heightened PTSD symptoms whenever a train rolls by, even if they are far away from it. Researchers interested in the effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have recently turned their attention to PTSD studies. Could it be possible that PTSD is less of a mental and emotional disorder and more of an end result caused by physical harm to the brain? If a positive correlation could be identified, treating PTSD may be advanced by leaps and bounds.
Unclear Symptoms Cause Unclear Results
It is important to remember that the research into PTSD and TBI correlations is still a young, relatively new concept. With this in mind, there has unfortunately not been any groundbreaking finds in the studies and experiments conducted by neurologists and the like. Whether or not PTSD is always caused or could be caused by physical damage to the brain remains unclear, largely due to the varying symptoms of PTSD in different patients. What has been determined with some confidence, however, is that a TBI does seem to worsen PTSD symptoms. Someone who has PTSD may see an increase in triggers and flashbacks after suffering a brain injury. This could be due to the added anxiety of living through another violent event, or it could be due to physiological alterations of the brain. It is also speculated that a mixture of both emotional and physical harm could strengthen PTSD symptoms. Until further research is conducted, the question remains unanswered but on the table. If you have suffered a brain injury or experience PTSD after an accident, expensive medical treatments or lengthy psychiatric sessions may be necessary to recover or lessen your symptoms. Talk to Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A. and our Toledo brain injury attorneys today to see if you could win compensation, as a verdict or settlement, to help pay for your treatments. You can reach us at 1-419-719-5195 or with an online contact form.