Can Whiplash Lead To Long Term Personality Disorders?

While the physical results of whiplash have been well documented, many are unaware of the emotional implications. According to a new study by Huddinge University Hospital in Sweden, there may be more to whiplash than meets the eye.

During an accident that causes whiplash, the head, neck and spine go through three different stages. In the first stage, the head and neck are thrown forward, stretching the vertebrae, tendons, muscles and other soft tissues far beyond their usual range. This is known as hyperextension. During this stage, the brain impacts upon the inner surface of the front of the skull. In the second phase, the head and neck are thrown backwards, again beyond their normal capacity, in a movement known has hyper-flexion. Once again, the brain impacts on the inner surface of the skull, this time at the rear. In the third phase, the neck, spine and head come to rest at their usual position. There have been cases recorded of brain damage directly as the result of these motions. However, the question is now being asked as to whether the act of whiplash can create long-term personality disorders.

Whiplash Associated Disorder

The Huddinge University Hospital conducted a study of 76 patients, each of whom had some degree of Whiplash Associated Disorder, ranging from minor injuries to chronic neck pain. The participants were measured against a group of people who had no experience of whiplash and were psychologically equal to the participants before they had been involved in a whiplash accident. Both groups were monitored for psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression and dysthymia, a chronic mood disorder.

The study found that mental health issues were most prevalent in the group with WAD. While participants from both groups were found to experience depression, the group of those with WAD was to found to have a significantly higher number of sufferers of major disorders, including regular panic attacks, social phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, two patients from the WAD group were found to have eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia). The WAD group also produced one member with antisocial behavioural problems. However, there were no cases of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia discovered.

A Link Between WAD And Personality Disorders

Each of the participants underwent detailed interviews to assess the extent of any impairment, utilising clinical techniques such as the Rorschach test, observation, figure drawings and the completion of checklists. The study concluded that there is an interaction between the effects of Minor Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) caused during whiplash and various emotional disturbances. However, as the test was conducted over a period of only one year, the potential for whiplash to be the cause of long-term personality disorders has yet to be determined.

In the short term the test concluded that prompt and sympathetic treatment contribute to more effective recovery, and may be anticipated to reduce or prevent some persistent symptoms. Bearing these results in mind, drivers would do well to employ all the safety measures they can to prevent whiplash. While the physical impacts of whiplash may be painful, they may not be as debilitating as the psychological effects.