16 symptopms of ptsd following a dog attack
At first glance, it might seem like a dog attack is a minor event in light of other bad things that can happen to us. But in reality, the victim of an attack can experience ongoing repercussions that sometimes last for years, especially if he/she was seriously injured or traumatized. Most of us associate Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) with soldiers returning from the battlefield, but the truth is we are capable of developing this condition in the aftermath of any traumatic event – including dog attacks, in some cases.
Not every dog attack victim will develop PTSD, of course, but certain factors can make trauma more likely. Younger children, for example, who have no prior context for a severe attack, may be particularly susceptible. Additionally, if the attack was severe or prolonged, or if the injuries significant and/or irreversible in some way, these factors, too, can contribute to development of PTSD in people of any age.
PTSD is a diagnosable condition which usually doesn’t go away without some form of treatment (typically medications and/or psychotherapy). Thus, if a dog bite victim experiences symptoms of PTSD, he/she may be eligible for additional compensation beyond the immediate medical bills – not only for the cost of treating the condition, but also for lost work and pain and suffering.
Below is a list of possible symptoms of PTSD following a dog attack. These symptoms are generally classified in four categories – re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance symptoms, cognition/mood symptoms and hyperarousal symptoms – and an official diagnosis of PTSD usually requires at least one symptom to be present from each of the four categories.