Whiplash and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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.