If you are unable to work because of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) you may be able to make a TPD claim for a lump sum from the Total & Permanent Disablement insurance contained within your superannuation fund. There is no necessity for you to have been involved in an accident or to have suffered a work related injury to make a TPD claim. If you suffer from total and permanent disability caused by PTSD, you may be able to make a TPD claim in addition to receiving your super early as a result of your condition. Our TPD claim solicitors can advise you in detail as to the requirements of a successful submission, they will prepare all relevant paperwork and will obtain full supporting documentation. Our TPD lawyers will give you free advice on the likely success of your claim to a super fund, without further obligation. It costs nothing to use our free PTSD claim advice service.

Our TPD claim solicitors use a risk free no win no fee arrangement.

We have offices situated in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Darwin.

PTSD - TPD

Post traumatic stress disorder PTSD is a condition caused by some kind of psychological stressor that leaves the patient with long lasting symptoms. It is related to anxiety disorders but is also strongly related to depression. It involves just about any traumatic event a person can go through and can occur at any age but is most common in childhood abuse and in military-related trauma. The traumatic events experienced in PTSD are often those that involved an immediate threat of death or injury.

Post traumatic stress disorder can occur very soon after experiencing a significant trauma or can be delayed for many months or years after the trauma happened. If it occurs soon after the trauma happened, it is often better after three months or less. If the symptoms occur late, they are often of a long standing duration. PTSD can last many years in some cases and be recalcitrant to treatment.

PTSD can be caused by a serious flood, fire, war-related events, a stay in prison, domestic abuse, sexual assault or physical violence to a child. Large terrorist attacks have been known to cause PTSD in those who were involved in the injuries or deaths that come out of the attacks. Not everyone gets PTSD from these kinds of things but some do and it is unclear exactly who gets the symptoms of PTSD and who do not. It is related to certain psychological, physical, social and genetic factors that are unique to every individual. Previous traumatic exposure can predispose you to getting PTSD from subsequent traumatic exposures. PTSD is somewhat helped by having a strong social support system available to you.

Symptoms of PTSD include three major categories of symptoms. The first is repeated reliving of the event through dreams or thoughts. It can occur in the form of flashbacks, in which you feel you are in the situation again, recurrent distressing memories of what happened to you, dreaming of the event, and physical reactions to situations that remind you of the traumatic event. The second category of symptoms is called “avoidance”, and means you are emotionally numb, detached and have a lack of involvement in normal activities. You have a diminished expression of moods and cannot remember important events regarding the trauma. You avoid places that remind you of the trauma and feel you have no future. The third category of symptoms is “arousal” and involves problems concentrating and having an exaggerated startle response. You have irritability or outbursts of extreme anger and problems sleeping.

Secondary symptoms of PTSD include those related to being tense, anxious and stressed out. These include being agitated, dizzy, excitable, feeling faint, having palpitations, having a headache or fever, and being pale.

There are no specific tests for post traumatic stress disorder but a thorough history and psychological examination of the individual can often reveal the presence of the most obvious symptoms along with a known stressor that contributed to the symptoms. A physical exam might rule out a physical condition related to the disorder, such as hyperthyroidism.

Treatment of PTSD involves a combination of medications, support groups and psychotherapy. Medications can be antidepressants, anti anxiety medications and medications for sleep. Psychotherapy is directed at knowing the role of the trauma in your life, managing symptoms and becoming more in tune with yourself in spite of the trauma that happened to you. You may have depressive symptoms that need treating with psychotherapy and medications. You may have primarily anxiety, which is treated with anxiolytic medication and therapy to reduce stressful feelings and anxiety. Group therapy may be necessary to help put the symptoms into perspective and to learn about coping strategies from others. Secondary problems, including drug or alcohol abuse, may need to be managed as these are often secondary to the PTSD and are a part of the syndrome.

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