POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AND MOTOR-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

We have studied the psychological sequelae of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) through a detailed examination of symptoms in 20 consecutive MVA victims referred to a private practice psychologist for treatment of headache or other pain problems. Ten met DSM-III-R criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and three others had subsyndromal PTSD. Twelve of these 13 also met Kuch et al.'s criteria for driving phobia. Other mood and anxiety disorders were also presented to a lesser degree.