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Post-traumatic stress disorder after car accidents
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|October 1, 1985
Summary
Car crash survivors experiencing driving phobia and anxiety may benefit from exposure therapy. Intense anxiety during guided imagery predicted positive outcomes, with some patients also losing chronic pain.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Anxiety Disorders
Background:
- Car crash survivors frequently experience post-traumatic stress, including fear of driving, generalized anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
- Phobic symptomatology is a significant factor in understanding and managing post-traumatic anxiety states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of exposure therapy for post-traumatic driving phobia and associated symptoms in car crash survivors.
- To explore the relationship between anxiety evoked by guided imagery and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study exposed 30 referred subjects to driving and accident imagery.
- Twelve subjects received exposure therapy, with some also receiving temporary Benzodiazepine treatment.
- Outcomes were assessed by symptom reduction, pain alleviation, and resumption of pleasurable driving activities.
Main Results:
- 77% of subjects exhibited a phobia of driving, and 53% showed increased anxiety in response to imagery.
- Exposure therapy led to marked improvement in 6 subjects, with 4 additional subjects improving with temporary Benzodiazepine use.
- Four out of eight subjects experienced resolution of chronic pain alongside their fears; intense anxiety during imagery predicted favorable outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Exposure therapy, potentially augmented by temporary Benzodiazepine use, shows promise in treating post-traumatic driving phobia and related anxiety.
- The intensity of anxiety during guided imagery may serve as a predictor for treatment success.
- Recovery is reliably indicated by the resumption of enjoyable driving activities.