Traumatic Stress and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Affiliated COUNSELING
AND REFERRAL SERVICES (ACRS)
DR. Michael Shery, clinical
psychology
2615
Three Oaks Rd. Ste 2A;
Cary, IL 60013
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FREE Taped Messages: Call 847 516 0899 (24 Hrs). To hear: How to Select a Counselor-Push 1; Emotional Stress Caused by an Accident or Injury-Press 2
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Traumatic Stress and Motor Vehicle Accidents
A National Center for PTSD
By Todd Buckley, Ph.D.
Introduction
Researchers are looking more closely at motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) as a common cause of traumatic stress. In
one large study, accidents were shown to be the traumatic event most frequently experienced by males (25%) and the second most frequent traumatic
event experienced by females (13%) in the United States. Over 100 billion dollars are spent every year to take care of the damage caused by auto
accidents.
Survivors of MVAs often also experience emotional distress as a result of such accidents. Mental-health
difficulties such as posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety are problems survivors of severe MVAs may exhibit. This fact sheet addresses
important issues related to MVAs, including how many people experience serious MVAs, how many people develop MVA-related Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) and other psychological reactions, what the risk factors are for MVA-related PTSD, and what kind of treatments help MVA-related
PTSD.
How many people experience serious motor vehicle accidents?
One unfortunate consequence of the high volume of commuter and personal travel in the U.S. is the number of
accidents that result in personal injury and fatalities. In any given year, approximately 1% of the U.S. population will be injured in motor
vehicle accidents. Thus, MVAs account for over 3 million injuries annually and are one of the most common traumas individuals
experience.
How many people develop MVA-related PTSD and other psychological
reactions?
Research on individuals seeking treatment and individuals in the general population suggests that the majority of
those who survive a serious MVA do not develop mental-health problems that warrant professional treatment. However, a substantial minority of MVA
survivors suffer from mental-health problems, the most common of which are Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depression, and Anxiety
Disorders.
Studies of the general population have found that approximately 9% of MVA survivors develop PTSD. Rates are
significantly higher in samples of MVA survivors who seek mental-health treatment. Studies show that between 14% and 100% of MVA survivors who
seek mental-health treatment have PTSD, with an average of 60% across studies.
In addition, between 3% and 53% of MVA survivors who seek treatment and have PTSD also have a mood disorder such
as Major Depression. Finally, in one large study of MVA survivors who sought treatment, 27% had an anxiety disorder in addition to their PTSD,
and 15% reported a phobia of driving.
What are the risk factors for MVA-related PTSD?
Recent research has identified variables that have predictive value when trying to determine who might experience
PTSD after a serious accident. The use of such research allows clinicians to identify individuals at risk for long-term mental-health problems
secondary to their accident.
The research focusing on identifying at risk individuals has been directed at three sets of variables:
characteristics about the individual that were present prior to the MVA, accident-related variables, and postaccident variables.
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Pre-accident variables such as poor ability to cope in reaction to previous traumatic events, the
presence of a pre-accident mental-health problem (e.g., depression), and poor social support have all been linked to the development of
PTSD following severe MVAs.
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With respect to accident-related variables, the amount of physical injury, potential life-threat, and
loss of significant others have been predictive of the development of mental-health problems such as PTSD. That is, as the amount of
physical injury and fear of dying increase, the chance of developing PTSD also increases.
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Post-accident variables that are predictive of PTSD following MVAs are: the rate of physical recovery
from injury, the level of social support from friends and family, and the level of active reengagement in both work and social
activities. To the extent that physical limitations will allow, survivors of MVAs should be encouraged to maintain as much of their
pre-accident lifestyle as possible, with as much support from family and friends as possible. Such coping strategies appear to be linked
with positive mental-health outcomes.
What treatments are available for MVA-related PTSD?
One aspect of MVA-related PTSD that is different from PTSD caused by other traumas is the increased likelihood of
being injured or developing a chronic pain condition following the trauma. As a result, many people who have been in an MVA present first to
their primary care physicians for treatment and do not consider psychological treatment for some time. Unfortunately, studies have shown that of
the people who develop PTSD and do not seek psychological treatment, approximately half continue to have symptoms for more than six months or a
year. Therefore, it is important to identify the symptoms early on and seek appropriate psychological treatment.
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Dr. Mike Shery is the director of ACRS and
originator of StressScreen which is available nationwide. He
also is a licensed clinical psychologist. He has practiced clinical psychology for approximately 24 years and is affiliated with almost all health plans, including: ValueOptions, Medicare, Cigna, Cigna Behavioral Health, United Health Care, Aetna, First
Health, Healthstar, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, ComPsych, Magellan Health, HFN, Tricare, Humana, most union local
plans, most school district plans, Unicare, ChoiceCare, CAPP, Multiplan, Mental Health Network, Managed Health Network, PHCS,
PPONext, Humana Military-Tricare, United Behavioral Health and Beech Street.
He is board certified as a specialist in professional counseling by the International Academy of Behavioral Medicine, Counseling and Psychotherapy. He a member of the American Counseling Association.
The office is located in Cary, IL, near Crystal
Lake and Algonquin, northern Kane County and in southern McHenry County. In select cases,
phone consultations are available for those who don’t live locally> Telephone Counseling.
To make an appointment>New Patient Registration or to learn more about the psychological services he provides call him at 1-847-516-0899 (24
Hrs).
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To make a free phone appointment to discuss StressScreen call
1-847-516-0899, or schedule yourself in our online appointment book now; Click: Make appointment for Cary Office: Therapy and Counseling
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