If adjustment disorder is something that you’ve recently heard from your doctor then it could be a drastic life change for you. Actually, it’s likely that you’ve already undergone the drastic life change and now you’re dealing with the trauma of those changes and the trauma of the catalyst of those changes. Many people talk about post-traumatic stress disorder, diagnosable anxiety disorders, and depression following a car accident.
But, when people experience catastrophic injuries and dramatic life changes as a result of a wreck, they may also experience this type of disorder. Adjustment disorder is complex, and it is not always easy to diagnose. Psychiatrists tend to lean toward this disorder only when there are extreme changes in the person’s life that will be ongoing, if not ever-present. Our Carrollton car accident attorneys can recommend the steps to take after a traumatizing car accident.
Different Types of Adjustment Disorder
Adjustment disorder is a stress-related mental condition or mental illness. It requires stress and then the person feels the struggle of the adjustments in different changes or pain after an injury. This can happen after a car accident, especially when someone has experienced a catastrophic injury or injuries which will lead to chronic pain.
There are six different variations of this category of disorder, and each one presents different signs. The first is a disorder with depressed mood and exhibits the standard symptoms of depression. The second is adjustment with anxiety, and the primary sign is a constant sense of being overwhelmed. Adjustment disorder with anxiety is most present in children.
Then there are disorders with mixed anxiety and depression, adjustment with disturbance of conduct, adjustments with emotional disturbance, and unspecified adjustment disorder.
Symptoms and Common Signs of Adjustment Disorder
As part of the diagnosis of adjustment disorder, your doctor should conduct a physical exam and refer you to a mental health specialist. The American Psychiatric Association notes that the following are required before diagnosing this classification of disorder:
- Emotional or behavioral symptoms within three months of the traumatic event.
- Distress that exceeds what is typical or expected from a motor vehicle crash survivor.
- Impairment, or inability to engage in the workplace and socially, may impact other areas of life.
- Typical symptoms exceed the normal time span for recovery.
Emotional symptoms can include the fear of driving, vehicles, trucks, as well as lack of enjoyment, hopelessness, and nervousness. In addition to these symptoms, the person may experience unexplained crying spells, General sadness, unexplained anxiety, insomnia, trouble concentrating, and feeling overwhelmed.
Emotional symptoms are usually difficult to detect. However, behavioral symptoms can present an immediate cause for concern. Behavioral symptoms of adjustment disorder include the inability to go to work or school, poor performance in different areas of life, fighting or easy agitation, reckless driving, avoidance, and ignoring responsibilities such as bills.
Adjustment Disorders from a Crash?
Most mental health experts tend to lean toward PTSD, or anxiety in lieu of adjustment disorder. Many psychiatrists and psychologists are leaning towards adjustment disorder diagnosis. They may offer an acute disorder diagnosis in which symptoms should last fewer than six months or chronic adjustment disorder where symptoms can last longer than 6 months.
Typically, treatment for this disorder is brief. Unlike a diagnosis of PTSD or a diagnosable anxiety disorder, it is unlikely that the disorder will follow you for the remainder of your life. Through a combination of psychotherapy and medications, it’s possible for crash victims to overcome this type of disorder.
Often psychotherapists will work with crash victims to learn how to adjust to life after the accident and with their injuries. They may help the victims to overcome a fear of driving or fear of vehicles, and understand new limitations or how they’ll have to approach challenges in a different way.
Working with a Carrollton Auto Wreck Attorney
After an auto wreck, you may have experienced exceptional levels of injury and as part of that, you may experience adjustment disorder. Anyone diagnosed with adjustment disorder should seek out long-term treatment as early as possible. This is a mental health condition and the sooner you receive support from a medical team the better chances you’ll have at a complete recovery.
So far as financial recovery, you can contact Carrollton auto wreck Attorneys at the law offices of John B Jackson. Are skilled wreck attorneys work closely with the victims and we’ve seen all varieties of PTSD, anxiety after a crash, and adjustment disorders. Our team understands that elements of your crash have dramatically impacted your life and that should be part of your pursuit for fair compensation. Don’t cut short your compensation, especially if you will need ongoing medical care or treatment. Contact John B. Jackson today.
