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This article focuses on research conducted by Dr. Manda Holmshaw PhD, consultant clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of Moving Minds, and Wilson Carswell OBE FRCS, Medical Director of Moving Minds. The article delves into the need for psychological rehabilitation in combination with physiological rehabilitation for individuals involved in a road traffic accident.

Rehabilitation is now acknowledged as being vital in the speedier recovery of victims of road traffic accidents, thereby enabling them to resume their normal social activities and work. It has not always been acknowledged that psychological rehabilitation is as important as physiological rehab, especially in cases where prolonged illness or problems have resulted from such trauma.

Under the belief that they are going to die or suffer serious injuries, persons involved in road traffic accidents RTA normally experience extreme cases of panic in that moment. The individual is able to deal with the trauma shortly after, because of the brain’s defence mechanisms which operate in removing these types of memories from the forefront of the mind. However, in some instances, this process is interrupted and the victim may begin to suffer long term psychological problems arising from their accident. These conditions include Travel Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which may prevent the individual from carrying on with a happy and active life.

Professor Mayou conducted an experiment in Oxford with 1000 consecutive RTA victims as they arrived into Accident and Emergency. The patients were given a number of standard psychological tests to determine whether they were experiencing any psychological problems following their accident. These tests were followed up over the next three years. The majority of the test group did were not badly injured enough to require hospital admission, but 1 person in 3 showed to be suffering from a psychological disorder. This number reduced slowly over the test period to 1 in 4 people psychologically effected three years after their accident.

When it is taken into account that the majority of the test group were not even admitted to hospital, this is a significant problem as years after the occurrence of the RTA, 25% of them suffered from conditions such as depression and PTSD.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

Psychologists have over the years researched into various types of psychological illnesses. Tests have thereafter been developed to look into the symptoms in determining which problem the patient may be suffering from. Some of the widely validated tools used by psychologists in supporting their diagnosis include the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Impact of Event Scale (IES), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).

Assessment

Psychological assessment is vital in the management of RTA victims who have experienced this type of trauma and possibly suffered injuries. This psychological assessment should be conducted in the patient’s home by the Clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist or in their consulting premises.

These sessions can cost between 300-500 and they usually last 90 minutes in which time tests will be conducted to ascertain if PTSD or another condition is present and what the course of treatment for the condition should be. Also the Psychologist will use the Rehabilitation First Code of Practice when reporting as this is an independent report that can be used in a legal case, if compensation may be sought in a claim later regarding the accident.

Treatment

The commonest treatment at present is expectant, where the person hopes and expects to return to good health immediately! But as Dr Mayou’s experiment shows, this often doesn’t happen. The cost of this treatment is often significant; a person may not be able to return to work for some time and struggle with to return to a normal social life.

Medication plays a role and is especially helpful to those suffering from depression. However RTA victims, often PTSD or Travel Anxiety sufferers won’t find that drugs are helpful to the brain to integrate their bad experience.

The recommended treatments for these conditions include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) where a person is asked to recall the traumatic event whilst the brain is stimulated by eye movement. CBT looks at how thoughts and behaviour affect a person’s feelings and by changing and challenging both thought and actions they can achieve a better sense of wellbeing.

The best form of treatment for RTA victims suffering from PTSD or Travel Anxiety has proven to be CBT, EMDR or Exposure Therapy. Although Exposure Therapy is used less often now due to the fact it involves the patient facing their experience head on and is often difficult. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which teaches the person how thoughts and actions can be challenged and changed to make way for a more positive healthy outlook.

Seeking Help

If you have been hurt in a RTA and think you may be experiencing psychological problems, you should contact your GP to discuss options for treatment and how you can get help.

You could also be entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation. You should look for an experienced legal practice to handle your case such as Duncan Gibbins Solicitors based in Manchester who specialise in RTA cases and offer a no win, no fee service.

Want to find out more about how you may be able to claim compensation if you’ve been involved in a RTA, then visit Duncan Gibbins Solicitors who specialize in personal injury cases.