Disaster Psychiatry after Motor Vehicle Accident

ABSTRACT

Death from motor vehicle accident is one of the most common causes of deaths in Korea, with 17.2 person per 100,000 population dying from motor vehicle accidents in 2004. Neuropsychiatric sequelae after motor vehicle accidents are very common and disturbing the quality of life. They include post-traumatic stress disorder, post-concussional disorder, organic personality disorder, depression, organic schizophrenia like disorder, malingering, factitious disorder, etc. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are often neglected by health care providers, although they tend to last for a long period as complex problems. They also may complicate the doctorpatient relationship. Therefore, early detection and management of neuropsychiatric symptoms are important for successful management of the patients. This article includes a brief summary of several neuropsychiatric states after motor vehicle accidents, especially post-traumatic stress disorder and a brief recommendation on legal reports for disability evaluation of mental and behavioral disorders after motor vehicle accidents.