WHIPLASH AND POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

Purpose : This study examined the comorbidity of whiplash and post-tra umatic stress disorder (PTSD) following motor vehicle accidents. A tre atment strategy in cases with both disorders is proposed. Method: A re view of the literature on psychological consequences of motor vehicle accidents and on risk factors associated with developing chronic whipl ash complaints is given. A case report is presented to illustrate the treatment strategy. Results: Traffic accidents lead to psychological c omplaints more often than is realized in clinical practice. It is esti mated 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 improvem ent in relation with the post-traumatic stress symptoms can have a ben eficial effect on coping with the chronic whiplash complaints. Conclus ions: The psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with chronic whiplas h complaints and PTSD should be aimed primarily at coping with the tra uma and not at the chronic pain complaints.