Abstract
Purpose : This study examined the comorbidity of whiplash and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following motor vehicle accidents. A treatment strategy in cases with both disorders is proposed.
Method: A review of the literature on psychological consequences of motor vehicle accidents and on risk factors associated with developing chronic whiplash complaints is given. A case report is presented to illustrate the treatment strategy.
Results: Traffic accidents lead to psychological complaints more often than is realized in clinical practice. It is estimated that PTSD occurs in at least 25% of traffic accident victims who sustain physical injuries. This number is probably higher in patients with chronic whiplash complaints. The case report shows that improvement in relation with the post-traumatic stress symptoms can have a beneficial effect on coping with the chronic whiplash complaints.
Conclusions: The psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with chronic whiplash complaints and PTSD should be aimed primarily at coping with the trauma and not at the chronic pain complaints.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 397-404 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Disability and Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| Publication status | Published - Nov-1998 |
Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- whiplash
- neck sprains
- motor vehicle accidents
- driving phobia
- MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
- ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
- PSYCHIATRIC CONSEQUENCES
- VICTIMS
- INJURY
- PTSD
- NECK
- COMPENSATION
- PREDICTORS
- SYMPTOMS