Anxious?  Who, us?  No…but that could all change the second you get into a car.  You s0metimes do not know when a panic attack will overtake you or your passengers.

Our firm’s car accident lawyers have seen many people suffer from anxiety disorders after being involved in a car accident, most often when the auto accident was unexpected or “without warning.”  Many times the anxiety goes away.  However, other times, it may become worse, requiring medical treatment and may be coupled with phobias panic disorders.

Here is a list our personal injury law firm has compiled to give you a better idea about what anxiety is and how it relates to an auto accident.

Anxiety is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by excessive and unrealistic apprehension concerning one or two life circumstances, and lasts for at least 6 months with symptoms occurring more than half of the time.  Anxiety can also come with depressive episodes, panic disorders (like a panic attack), and phobias.  Acute stress, post traumatic stress, and obsessive-compulsive disorders also come under the heading of “anxiety.”

Panic disorders produce unexpected episodes of intense fear in situations or circumstances that normally would not be fearful.  Symptoms of a panic attack occurring are:

  • Shortness of breath or choking
  • Dizziness or faintness
  • Heart palpitations – unusually strong or noticeable heartbeats, sometimes felt as “skips” or as irregular or rapid beats
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Cold sweats or chills
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in extremities, like in your hands or feet
  • Hot flashes or flushing
  • Chest pain (that is not of cardiac origin)
  • A feeling of not being real
  • An exaggerated fear of dying
  • A fear of losing control or “going crazy”

Phobias are unreasonable fears that interfere with normal activities and produce severe anxiety.  There are several types of phobias; some examples include claustrophobia (fear of close or narrow spaces) and agoraphobia (fear of open or public places).

Anxiety disorders and phobias can be triggered or started by emotionally  events that have occurred in the sufferer’s past.  One of these events could be a car accident, serious or otherwise.  As car accident lawyers, we have seen how car accidents could affect those involved mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.

Call us now at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney and find out how we can help you.  We speak English and Spanish, and we look forward to providing advice for your case.  No fee if no recovery.