After being injured in a serious car accident, immediate medical attention should be delivered to the most grievous of wounds, such as damage to the spinal cord, fractures, and lacerations. From an outside perspective, it can seem like everything is “fine” once the most serious injuries are treated and addressed. To the person who has been hurt, they may now face a lifetime of chronic pain in joints, muscles, nerves, and other affected areas.
Diagnosing chronic pain after a car accident is often either difficult or simplified too much. Doctors may be quite to prescribe some painkillers and cross their fingers, not realizing the full extent of what chronic pain can cause. In addition to causing physical disabilities, people who experience chronic pain report that it can take a psychological toll on them as well.
Chronic pain may be linked to mental disorders and emotional trauma, such as:
- Insomnia
- Exhaustion and apathy
- Depression and anxiety
- Abnormal mood swings
- Uncharacteristic irritability
- Reclusion and antisocial behavior
Chronic pain’s effects on the mind can even lead to a weakened immune system. An increase in colds and flus throughout the years only exacerbates an already difficult situation.
How Can Chronic Pain Be Treated?
The first thing you should do is start keeping a private journal of all your symptoms and issues you experience since your car accident and the beginning of your chronic pain. Your physician’s diagnosis will be more accurate if you can provide more evidence of the condition. Speak to them about pain management techniques that you are comfortable with and ask about new treatments. Due to the emotional damage chronic pain can cause, it is important to explore psychiatric options or cognitive therapy sessions. Once again, the more information you can give a psychologist about the numerous facets of your chronic pain, the better they should be able to help you overcome the psychological side effects.
It is also crucial that you do this as soon as possible. If your chronic pain can be linked to the injuries you suffered in a serious car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical treatments. Talk to a Shreveport personal injury attorney from Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers today about seeking compensation that accounts for the lifelong treatments you may require for your chronic pain before Louisiana State personal injury statutes of limitation prevent you from filing a claim at all. Call (318) 221-1508 or schedule an initial consultation online now.
