Psych News: Traffic Accidents Can Cause PTSD in Children

When children are injured, their is immediate attention given to the physical aspects of the accident.  Their wounds on their body are tended to first because they are the most pressing issue at hand.  But what about the child's mind?  Why do not we also fix any psychological problems the child might have?

The truth is, when children are involved in an injury or accident scenario they are first frightened, and then confused.  This is not a good combination.  Regardless of a person's age, unwanted emotions may plague an individual who has been traumatized by an accident.  Sometimes even more so for children who are not even involved in the accident, but witnessed it occur.  Yes.  Your child can suffer emotionally just from having viewed a disturbing event.

Half a century ago, children were told to just shake it off.  Their emotions were overlooked or not even acknowledged, but not scientists are realizing that children cannot overcome the negative feelings associated with trauma unless they have help.  Within the past few years, the bureau for Transport Statistics in Great Britian found that over 56,000 children are injured or killed as a result of a traffic accident.  This number may be on the rise, and with all of these children suffering physically, how many are suffering emotionally?

We do not know.  Too often parents overlook this, and the child has to deal with their emotions on their own, and often in counter-positive ways.  Tendencies to revert to past bad behavior, anxiety, depression, behavioral changes, and even irrational fears are just a few of the many implications of experiencing a disturbing event and then not being able to discuss the occurrence. 

Parents have good intentions most of the time.  They believe that dwelling on the scary issue will not help, and it is best to put it aside.  But the truth is that it needs to be dealt with right away, right after the necessary amount of medical attention is given. 

If you believe that your child has suffered after having experienced a traumatic accident and they deserve justice and compensation for their suffering, we urge you to contact our Kansas City Child Injury and Accident Attorneys. 
With over 15 years of experience, we are well-prepared to take on your case, and we can help you.