Have you suffered a neck injury following a whiplash accident? The psychological implications of whiplash injuries can be complex and problematic.

Whiplash injuries are common, and good, accessible medical advice, primary care and physiotherapy mostly provide positive responses which help the majority of sufferers of whiplash symptoms to make a quick and full recovery. However, when it comes to the psychological repercussions of whiplash, often the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation are not so straightforward.

The most common psychological symptoms of whiplash which can accompany physical symptoms like back and neck pain and stiffness, headaches and reduced movement in the neck are

irritability\r
memory loss\r
poor concentration,\r
and sometimes anxiety and depression.

While mental shock can occur immediately following the accident, post-traumatic stress can affect the victim of a whiplash injury for a long time after the accident has occurred (NHS Choices, 2009, ‘Symptoms of Whiplash’)

The Impact of Psychosocial Problems Following Whiplash

In the context of back pain, a report by the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation states that “most of the known risk factors for long-term disability, inactivity and work loss are psychosocial,” (ACC, 2004, p31). This is a major concern in the context of rehabilitation where a whiplash victim’s career and daily life can be seriously compromised.

Indeed, the report also lists the three main consequences of back problems:

pain\r
disability, limitations to daily function\r
reduced productive activity, including work loss - (ACC, 2004, ‘Guide to Assessing Psychosocial Yellow Flags in Acute Low Back Pain’)

As with any injury, the objective in treating whiplash is to allow the sufferer to make a complete recovery as soon as possible. But the more complex psychological factors frequently escape detection and receive inappropriate treatment. What would have seemed like a straightforward rehabilitation can become terribly complex, at the cost of the individual’s health and work.

Behind the Psychological Issues of a Whiplash Sufferer

Yet it’s not easy to see what links the physical pain of a whiplash accident to longer-term psychological disruption. An editorial in the British Journal of Psychiatry incorporates contributing factors as broad as personality, gender, employment, legal status, life events and vulnerability to psychiatric problems, or problems which already existed (Thomas, 2002).

The consequences of a whiplash accident can affect attitudes and emotions considerably. Sufferers of chronic pain can develop a number of beliefs as a response to pain, of which the primary reaction is fear, and accordingly motivated fear-avoidance behavior. In this case, accompanying attitudes can include the belief that all pain is a barrier to the return to normal life and work:

not being able to judge one’s own capability for certain activities\r
catastrophising, pessimism (expecting the worst)\r
lacking the confidence that you are in control of the pain\r
taking a passive attitude to rehabilitation

As well as common sleep disturbance, normal activity can often be badly disrupted. The sufferer can experience serious loss of motivation, reduced productive activity and increased use of aids and self-medication, particularly alcohol, all with respect to the onset of pain.

A history of long-term pain, serious injury or psychological conditions can cause yet more distress and instability. Anxiety can develop over job security, and upset caused by a disorganized or unclear legal process in making compensation claims can only exacerbate the problems.

Finding a Resolution to Psychological Issues

Despite the complexities of the issue, there is a solution. Psychological problems associated with whiplash injuries are increasingly being recognised as “logical responses to living with chronic pain,” according to Dr. Richard Seroussi, a specialist in spine care and pain medicine. This suggests that certain psychological problems can be resolved without psychiatric treatment if the sufferer can find complete physical relief from chronic pain.

With this in mind, it’s vitally important to seek good medical help if you are suffering from any of the symptoms of whiplash (see our title pages [link to main page]). It’s also a relief to know that there are comprehensive treatments for injuries sustained in whiplash accidents, but this doesn’t detract from the seriousness of the risk to your long-term health and career situation if you’ve been involved in a whiplash accident.

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