Mental health issues show up in 1 out of every 5 adults. That is according to data collected by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. One of the reasons that those issues can develop is the result of an accident.
Physical and emotional trauma can also be considered a compensable damage.
Before an accident victim can attach a value to those damages, it is essential to understand what mental anguish is all about and how it can manifest in an accident victim’s life.
Table of Contents
Mental Anguish Definition
The best way to think of mental anguish is a kind of emotional distress that is caused by one person to another. In personal injury lawsuits, mental anguish can arise as the result of an accident that was caused by someone’s negligence.
In extreme cases, that anguish can lead to a clinical diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as “a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.” A car accident would certainly qualify.
The Effects
The effects of mental anguish can manifest at different levels for different people. Here are some of the effects of mental anguish that can be caused by an accident:
Sleep Disruptions
Your sleep patterns can be thrown off when you experience mental anguish. That means you have more difficulty falling asleep at night or waking up in the morning. You could also experience restless sleep that prevents you from achieving consistent, quality sleep. That can impact your entire day.
Weight Fluctuations
Mental anguish can also disrupt your eating habits. That can mean gaining or losing weight at a significant rate. You could engage in stress eating or be put off food altogether.
Anger
If you experience mental anguish, you could find yourself dealing with anger issues. That can look like lashing out at your family, friends, and coworkers. It can also show up as rage against minor things that didn’t bother you before.
Unexplained Physical Symptoms
Unexplained headaches, bouts of stomach distress, and recurring pain can all show up as part of your mental anguish symptoms. These would be the kinds of problems that would not always have an explanation. In other words, your mental anguish can manifest as physical ailments.
Forgetfulness
You can experience confusion and forgetfulness as a symptom of your post-accident mental anguish. That can trigger frustration and compound the issues that you’re dealing with.
Avoiding Social Interaction
Your mental anguish could also keep you from going out with friends or attending family gatherings. You might also experience a decrease in the desire to be with your partner.
Depression
All of the above issues can compound the issues of feeling depressed. It all ties together in feelings of low self-esteem and lack of confidence. That can impact every aspect of your life.
Calculating Mental Anguish Damages
In addition to any economic damages, such as medical bills and property losses, you can also ask for noneconomic damages for pain and suffering. That would include your mental anguish. In order to prove a causation between your accident and the mental anguish, you’ll need to gather the following evidence:
- Testimony from any type of mental health professional, such as a therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
- Depositions from your friends, family, and coworkers who can testify to how you were before and after the accident.
- Copies of personal journals that document your mental health issues.
- Medical records that relate to prescribed medications related to your mental anguish.
Assigning a dollar amount for these issues can be challenging. That is why you need to discuss these issues with the Thomas Law Offices.
We have a team of experienced personal injury attorneys in Chicago who understand the nature of how mental anguish can turn up after an accident. We can discuss the option for applying the multiplier method to determine a fair remedy for your situation.
Call to set up a consultation to discuss your potential case.
Who We Are
Reviews
