Psychological distress is a general term that is used to describe unpleasant feelings and/or emotions that have a negative impact on your level of functioning. These feelings and emotions can manifest themselves in many different ways including those which you might not recognize as being a byproduct of this distress.
Since each person is their own individual it is nearly impossible to know how two different people will react to the same situation. This is why finding a lawyer versed in personal injury law who is familiar with emotional and psychological distress is so important when it comes to dealing with a lawsuit surrounding an accident. They can not only help you get the help you need, but help you get a quality diagnosis so that your level of psychological pain and suffering is reflected in the case settlement.
Psychological distress can cause a variety of behaviors or symptoms including:
If you have been involved in an accident and you are experiencing any of these symptoms or any symptom that you feel may be related to emotional or psychological distress from your accident it is very important that you speak with a doctor and an attorney as soon as possible.
Documenting your emotional distress can be very helpful for your case. A doctor can help you do this by noting your symptoms in your medical records and you can help yourself by keeping a diary of how you are feeling on any given day. By documenting your distress you will be better able to prove your level of suffering to a jury and it can greatly help the amount you are awarded.
If you have been in an accident you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. If you even suspect that you may be suffering emotional or psychological distress from that accident you should make certain to tell your attorney and follow their instructions on how to best document it and seek treatment.