Accident victims often show psychological consequences

Every fourth accident victim develops psychological sequelae

08/15/2014

Many accident victims suffer from mental sequelae, according to a recent study by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt). Although the bones are healing, but the mind continues to suffer many times, according to the Federal Agency.

In the study on the psychological consequences of road accidents, according to the BASt was clear that around „a quarter of all seriously injured in a traffic accident, mental illness has to fear.“ The study also shows which factors in an accident contribute significantly to the development of mental disorders. Accordingly, targeted countermeasures could already be initiated in the accident clinic in the future.

Impending development of mental disorders after traffic accidents
Victims of serious traffic accidents often have to struggle for months with the physical consequences of their injuries. In addition, there is a tremendous psychological burden from the experience of the accident, which can lead to ongoing mental disorders, the BASt reports. In the context of the current study were now „Using a self-developed questionnaire as well as patient surveys and evaluations of patient records, it identifies those factors that can contribute to the development of a mental disorder after a traffic accident“, so the message of the Federal Institution. The BASt was supported in the investigation by the Institute for Research in Operative Medicine.

Anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
More than 200 road accident victims who were hospitalized for treatment of their injuries were included in the study. „Among other things, the patients were interviewed at the beginning of their hospital stay as well as during a period of six to twelve months after the accident“, reports the BASt. It was clear, „that one in four victims of serious mental health problems“ suffers. As a possible sequelae after a serious traffic accident called the BASt „Diseases such as anxiety, depression or a post-traumatic stress disorder.“ Frequently, the psychological suffering would develop promptly to the accident, they „but can also occur only in the months after an accident“, so the BASt message.

The psychological sequelae after a traffic accident are according to the results of the current study „in most cases permanently.“ A generally increased risk would have patients with mental preloads. In addition, experienced deterioration in social support following an accident is increasingly accompanied by psychological damage to accident victims. In addition, a relatively high risk of long-term psychological sequelae was found in the case of injured persons who already showed mental abnormalities in the first phase after a traffic accident, reports the Federal Institute.

Recognize risk of secondary disease early
In general, according to the study authors, early detection of the mental health problems of accident victims means that effective help can be given faster to avoid long-term sequelae. For example, on the basis of the current study, certain risk groups could be narrowed down, which tend to have more to do with mental illness after an accident. Also could „The present findings contribute to further publicizing the hitherto neglected problematic of psychological consequences of accidents“, so the hope of the BASt. (Fp)